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GOSPEL,  SOIVNETS? 


OR, 


SPIRITUAL.  SO]\CJS. 


IN  SIX  PARTS. 


1.  BELIEVER'S  ESPOUSALS. 

2.  BELIEVER'S  JOINTURE. 

3.  BELIEVER'S  RIDDLE. 


4.  BELIEVER'S  LODGING. 

5.  BELIEVER'S  SOLILOQUY. 

6.  BELIEVER'S  PRINCIPLES. 


CONCERNING 

CKEATIOIV    AND    EEDEMPTION LAV/    AND    GOSPEL — JUSTI- 

FICATION   AND   SANCTIFICATION FAITH   AND 

SENSE HEAVEN  AND    EAKTH. 


BY  REV.  RAIiPH  ERSKINE, 

LATE     MINISTER     OF    THE     GOSPEL     AT     DUNFERMLINE. 


TO    WHICH    IS    PREFIXED, 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  AUTHOR'S  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS. 


MIR4    CAMAM,    SED    VERA    OANAM. BUCH.  PSALM    LXXVUI. 


FIRST  PITTSBURGH  EDITION. 


PITTSBURGH: 
PUBLISHED  BY  LUKE  LOOMIS  &  CO. 

D.  AND  M.    MACLEAN,    PRINT. 

1831. 


;  \ 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

f  i  the  number  of  editions  of  any  performance,  be  a  mark 
of  public  approbation,  Mr.  Erskine's  GOSPEL  SONNETS  have 
a  claim  to  that  c'istinction,  and  they  may  be  ranked  amongst 
tJiose  of  general  esteem  and  usefuhiess;  few  books  l^ave  been  so 
of  .en  printed  in  the  same  space  of  time. 

The  present  edition,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  fomid  not  less  wor- 
t!iy  of  public  encouragement,  than  those  that  have  gone  before 
it,  as  considerable  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  correcting,  by 
comparing  it  with  former  editions;  and  every  thing  is  to  be  found 
here  that  has  appeared  in  the  most  approved  copies  of  the  Gos- 
pel Sonnets. 

Mr.  Erskine's  Poems,  as  Dr.  Br&.dbury  says,  are  greatly  to 
ba  esteemed;  and  above  all,  for  that  which  animates  the  whole, 
'iio  savo!'  of  divine  and  experimental  knowledge- 


PREFACE  BY  THE  PUBLISHER 

Poetical  compositions,  it  will  readily  be  admitted, 
are  of  a  very  ancient  original;  and  very  early  jipecimcrs 
•of  this  kind' of  writing  are  yet  to  be  found  on  record, 
both  in  sacred*  and  profane  history.  "Writings  in  pocfsy 
have  many  peculiar  exccHcncies  in  them,  and  particular 
advantages  attending  them:  and  v.'hen  men,  endued  with 
poetical  talents,  employ  them  on  subjects  cf  real  impor- 
tance, the  sparkling  and  flowery  iuKiges,  the  rnr.gnificent 
and  lofty  expressions,  and  the  striking  figures  and  rhe- 
torical embellishments,  add  such  a  native  grandeur,  dig- 
nity, and  majesty  to  the  subject,  that  the  mind  is  not 
only  truly  elevated,  the  attention  gained,  the  affections 
moved,  and  devotion  excited^  but  the  memory  is  gradu- 
ally prepared  to  retain  and  be  benefited  by  them,  on  ac- 
count of  the  beautiful  and  elegant  manner  in  which  tl;e 
various  topics  are  elucidated. 

No  subject  is  more  interesting,  orcan  be  a  fitter  theme, 
for  those  vested  with  a  pc-elical  genius,  than  those  of  an 
evangelical  nature,  either  directly  founded  upon  some 
particular  portion  of  sacred  writ,  or  drawn  from  it  by 
just  and  necessary,  consequence.  No  writings,  for  just- 
ness of  sentiment  and  sublimity  of  style,  can  equal  or 
compare  with  these  of  divine  inepiration:  and  though  the 
mysteries  of  Christiaiiity,  and  the  wonders  of  our  holy 
religion,  stand  in  no  need  of  gay  trimmings  and  poetical 
embellishments  to  set  them  off;  yet  such  is  the  superior 
excellency  of  inspired  poesy,  that  the  brightest  and  most 
elevated  desciiptions  of  a  mortal  pen  must  vail  to  it; 
and  therefore   says  a  celebrated   v/riter,  '  If  any  would 

*  attempt  to  be  master  of  true  eloquence,  and  aim  at  a 

*  proper  elevation  of  style,  let  him  read,  with  unremit- 

•  See  the  Song  of  Moses  at  the  Red  Sea,  Exodus  15;1— 21.  This 
Song  is  the  most  ancient  and  sublime  piece  of  poetry  in  tiie  world : 
the  images  are  natural — the  arrangement  of  its  ideas  is  beautifal —  , 
and  the  strain   of  piety  which   breatlies   thuough   tlic  whole,  ^s 
truly  evangelicai.  jt 


/ 


IV  PBEPACE. 

'  ting  diligence,  <he  ancient  prophets,  the  inspired  evan- 
'  gelists  and  apostles;  for  their  writings  are  an  abundant 
'  source  of  all  the  riches  and  ornament  of  speech.' 

It  hath  been  now  a  long  and  just  complaint,  that  poesy, 
which  is  of  a  divine  original,  should  have  been  so  much 
debased  to  the  worst  of  purposes,  in  decorating,  vice  and 
profanencss;  and  that  men,  endued  with  such  a  happy 
talent,  should  so  much  employ  it  in  furnishing  our  the- 
atrical entertainments,  or  upon  ludicrous  aud  profane 
trifles.  How  happy  would  it  have  been  for  the  world, 
what  an  ornament  to  Christianity  and  advantage  to  the 
church;  and  how  honoring  to  themselves,  as  well  as  be- 
neficial to  the  interests  of  religion,  had  they  employed  it 
on  evangelical  and  divine  subjects,  in  pointing  out  the 
beauties  of  creation,  the  bounty  of  providence,  the  depth 
of  redeeming  love  and  grace,  and  the  excellency  and 
sweetness  of  true  religion  and  practical  godliness! 

The  Kev.  Mr.  Eiskine,  author  of  the  following /'oems, 
was  happy  in  cia;>Ioying  his  poetical  talent  to  the  best 
of  purposes:  l!:c  ^uiijects  he  made  choice  of  to  handle, 
were  of  the  ufniocit  importance  for  mankind  to  know; 
his  manner  of  treating  them  truly  evangelical;  and  the 
spirit  that  breathes  through  them,  heavenly  and  divine; 
tending  to  warm  the  heart,  excite  to  genuine  devotion, 
and  to  inspire  the  mind  with  just  and  proper  sentiments 
of  God  and  true  religion. 

The  sentiments  of  Dr.  Bradbury,  relative  to  our  au- 
thor's poetical  talent  are  very  just.  '  Mr.  Erskine's  Fo- 
'  ems,''  says  he, '  are  greatly  to  be  esteemed,  for  the  sweet- 
'  ncss  of  the  verse,  the  disposition  of  the  subjects,  the  el- 
'  egancy  of  the  composition,  and,  above  all,  for  that 
'  which  animates  the  whole,  the  savor  of  divine  and  ex- 
'  perimental  knowledge.'* 

*  See  his  preface  to  some  of  Mr.  Erskine's  Sermons,  printed  at 
London,  in  1738. 


TABliE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PART  I.    The  Believer's  Espousals. 

Preface,  .--.-...  Page  25 

Chap.  I.  A  gfeneral  account  of  man's  fall  in  Adam,  and  the 
remedy  provided  in  Christ;  and  a  particular  account  of 
man's  being  naturally  wedded  to  the  law  as  a  covenant  of 
works,         ..-.-..-.  26 

Sect.  1.  The  fall  of  Adam,  i6.  Sect.  2  Redemption  through 
Christ,  27.  Sect.  3.  Man's  legal  disposition,  29.  Sect.  4, 
Man's  strict  attachment  to  legal  terms,  or  to  the  law  as  a  con- 
dition of  life,  .31.  Sect.  5.  Men's  vain  attempt  to  seek  liie  by 
Christ's  righteousness  joined  with  their  own;  and  legal  hopes 
natural  to  all,         .----....  33 

Chap.  II.  The  manner  of  a  sinner's  divorce  from  the  law  in  a 
work  of  humiliation,  and  of  his  marriage  to  the  Lcyd  Jesus 
Christ;  or.  The  way  how  a   sinner  conies  to  be  a  believer,     39 
Sect.  1.  Of  a  law  work,  and  the  workings  of  legal  pride  un- 
der it,  ib.    Sect.  2.  Conviction  of  sin   and  wratli  carried  on 
more  deeply  and  effectually  on  the  heart,  39.     Sect.  3.  The 
deeply  humbled  soul  relieved  with  some  .saving  discoveries  of 
Christ  the  Redeemer,  41.     Sect.  4.  The  workings  of  the  Sjjirit 
of  faith,  in  separating  the  heart   from  all    self-righteousness, 
and  drawing  out  its  consent  to,  and  desire  after  Christ  alone 
and  wholly,  43.     Sect.  5.  Faith's  vie  w  of  the  freedom  of  grace, 
cordial  renunciation  of  all  its  own  ragged  righteou.sness,  and 
formal  acceptance  of  and  closing  with  tlie  person  of  glorious 

Christ,         - -  46 

Chap.  III.  The  fruits  of  the  believer's  marriage  with  Christ, 
particularly  gospel  holiness,  and  obedience  to  the  law  as  a 
rule,         .........  48 

Sect.  1.  The  sweet  solemnity  of  the  marriage  now  over,  and 
the  sad  effects  of  the  remains  of  a  legal  spirit,  ih.  Sect.  2. 
Faith's  victories  over  sin  and  Satan,  through  new  and  further 
discoveriesof  Christ,  making  believers  more  fruitful  in  holi- 
ness, than  all  otiier  pretenders  to  works,  50.  Sect.  3.  True 
saving  faith  magnifying  the  law,  both  as  a  covenant  and  rule. 
False  faith  unfruitful  and  ruinijig,  51.  Sect.  4.  Tiie  believer 
only  being  married  to  Christ,  is  justified  and  sanctified;  and 
the  more  gospel  freedom  from  the  law  as  a  covenant,  the  more 
holy  conformity  to  it  as  a  rule,  54.  Sect.  5.  Gospel  Grace 
giving  no  liberty  to  sin,  but  to  holy  service  and  pure  obedience.  56 
1* 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Chap.  IV.  A  caution  to  all  against  a  legal  spirit,  especially  to 
tJiose  that  have  a  profession  without  power,  and  learning 
without  grace,         .•>..-..  58 

i'^iAP.  V.  Arguments  and  encouragements  to  gospel  ministers 
to  avoid  a  legal  strain  of  doctrine,  and  endeavor  the  sinner's 
match  with  Christ  by  gospel  means,         -         -         .  61 

Sect.  1.  A  legal  spirit  the  root  of  damnable  errors,  ib.  Sect. 
'2.  A  legal  strain  of  doctrine  discovered  and  discarded,  62. 
.Sect.  3.  Tlie  hurtfulness  of  not  preaching  Christ,  and  distin- 
guisliing  duly  between  law  and  gospel,  63.  Sect.  4.  Damna- 
ble pride  and  self-righteousness,  so  natural  to  all  men,  has  lit- 
tle need  to  be  encouraged  by  legal  preaching,  65.  Sect.  5. 
The  gospel  of  divine  grace  the  only  means  of  converting  sin- 
ners; and  it  should  therefore  be  preaclied  most  clearly,  fully, 
and  freely,         --..--.-  67 

Chap.  VI.  An  exhortation  to  all  that  are  out  of  Christ,  in  or- 
der to  their  closing  the  match  with  him,  containing  also 
inotives  and  directions,         -----  71 

Sect.  I.  Conviction  offered  to  sinners,  especially  such  as  are 
wedded  to  the  law,  or  self-righteous;  that  thej'^  niay  see  their 
need  of  Christ's  righteousness,  ih.  Sect.  2.  Direction  given 
with  reference  to  the  right  use  of  the  means,  that  we  rest  not 
on  tliese  instead  of  Christ,  the  glorious  Husband,  in  whom  alone 
our  help  lies,  74.  Sect.  3.  A  call  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 
with  some  hints  at  the  act  and  object  of  faitli,  77.  Sect.  4.  An 
advice  to  sinners  to  apply  to  the  sovereign  mercy  of  God,  as 
it  is  discovered  through  Christ,  to  the  highest  honor  of  jus- 
tice, and  other  divine  attributes,  in  order  to  further  their  faith 
in  him  unto  salvation,  80.  Sect.  5.  The  terrible  doom  of  un- 
believers that  reject  the  gospel  match,  the  oliered  Saviour  and 
salvation, --  83 

PART  II.     The  Believer's  Jointure. 

Chap.  I.  Containing  the  Privileges  of  the  Believer  that  is  es- 
poused to  Christ  by  Faith  of  Divine  operation,  -  88 

Sect.  1.  The  believer's  perfect  beauty,  free  acceptance,  and 
full  security,  through  the  imputation  of  Christ's  perfect  rigli- 
teousness,  though  imparted  grace  be  imperfect,  ib.  Sect.  2. 
Christ  the  believer's  friend,  prophet,  priest,  king,  defence,  guide, 
guard,  help,  and  healer,  91.  Sect.  3.  Christ  the  believer's  won- 
derful physician  and  wealthy  friend,  93.  Sect.  4.  The  be- 
liever's safety  under  the  covert  of  Christ's  atoning  blood  and 
powerful  intercession,  95.  Sect.  5  Tlie  believer's  faith  and 
hope  encouraged,  even  in  the  darkest  nights  of  desertion  and 


CONTENTS.  VJl 

distress,  97.  Sect.  6.  Benefits  accruiiifr  to  believers,  from  the 
offices,  names,  natures,  and  suftcrings  of  Christ,  99.  Sect.  7. 
Christ's  sufferings  further  improved,  and  believers  called  to 
live  by  faitli,  both  when  they  have  and  want  sensible  influen- 
ces, 101.  Sect.  8.  Christthebeliever'senriching-  treasure,  103. 
Sect.  9.  Christ  the  believer's  adorning'  garment,  104.  Sect.  10. 
Christ  the  believer's  sweet  nourishment,  •         -         -  105 

CiiAP.  II.  Containing  Marks  and  Characters  of  Believers  in 
Christ,  together  with  some  further  Privileges  and  grounds 
of  Comfort  to  Saints,         ......  206 

Sect.  1.  Doubting  believers  called  to  examine  themselves  by 
marks  drawn  from  tlieir  love  to  him  and  his  presence,  tiieir 
view  of  his  glory,  and  their  being  emptied  of  self-righteous- 
ness, &c.  ih.  Sect.  2.  Believers  described  from  their  faith  act- 
ing by  divine  aid,  and  fleeing  quite  out  of  themselves  to  Jesus 
Christ,  108.  Sect.  3.  Believers  characterized  by  the  objects 
and  purity  of  tlieir  desires,  delight,  joy,  hatred,  and  love,  dis- 
covering they  have  the  spirit  of  Christ,  111.  Sect.  4.  Believ- 
ers in  (/lirist  affect  his  counsel,  word,  ordinances,  appearance, 
full  enjoyment  in  heaven,  and  sweet  presence  here,  113.  '  Sect. 
5.  The  true  believer's  humility,  dependence,  zeal,  growth,  ad- 
miration of  free  grace,  and  knowledge  of  Christ's  voice,  114. 
Sect.  6.  True  believers  are  willing  to  be  tried  and  examined. 
Also,  comforts  arising  to  them  from  Ciirist's  ready  supply,  real 
sympathy,  and  relieving  names  suiting  their  need,  117.  Sect. 
7.  The  believer's  experience  of  Christ's  comfortable  presence, 
or  of  former  comforts,  to  be  improved  for  his  encouragement 
and  support  under  hidings,  119.  Sect.  8.  Comfort  to  believ- 
ers from  the  stability  of  the  promise,  notwithstanding  heavy 
chastisements  for  sin,  122.  Sect.  9.  Comfort  to  believers  from 
Christ's  relation's,  his  dying  love,  his  glory  in  heaven,  to  which 
he  will  lead  them  through  death,  and  supply  them  with  all 
necessaries  by  the  way,  124.  Sect.  10.  Comfort  to  believers 
from  the  text,  'Thy  Maker  is  thy  Husband,' inverted  thus, 
Thy  Hjisband  is  thy  Maker:  and  the  conclusion  of  this  sub- 
ject,       -.-.-.-..  126 

PART  III.  The  Believer's   Riddle;  or,  the  Mystery  of  Faith. 

The  Preface,  showing  the  use  and  design  of  the  Riddle,  and 
how  all  fatal  errors  proceed  from  ignorance  of  such  myste- 
ries,        ...---..-  129 

Sect.  1.  The  mystery  of  the  saints'  pedigree,  and  especially 

of  their  relation  to  Christ's  wonderful   person,  133.     Sect.  2. 

The  mystery  of  the  saints'  life,  stateand  frame,  140.     Sect.  3. 

,  Mysteries  about  the  saints'  work  and   warfare,  sins,  sorrows, 

and  joys,  146.    Sect.  4.  Mysteries  in  faith's  extractions,  way 


VJll  CONTENTS. 

and  walk,  prayers  and  answers,  heights  and  depths,  fear  and 
love,  152.  Sect.  5.  Mysteries  about  flesh  and  spirit,  liberty 
and  bondage,  and  life  and  death,  162.  Sect.  6.  The  mystery 
of  free  justification  tlxrough  Christ's  obedience  and  satisfaction, 
166.  Sect.  7.  The  mystery  of  God  the  justifier;  and  faith 
justifying  him,  both  in  his  justifying  and  condemning;  or  soul 
justification  and  self-condemnation,  171.  Sect.  8.  The  myste- 
ry of  sanctification  imperfect  in  this  life;  or,  the  believer  do- 
ing all,  and  doing  nothing,  177.  Sect.  9.  The  mystery  of  va- 
rious names  given  to  saints;  or,  Tiie  flesh  and  spirit  describ- 
ed from  inanimate  things,  vegetables,  and  sensitives,  182. 
Sect.  10.  The  mystery  of  the  saints'  old  and  new  man  further 
described,  and  the  means  of  their  spiritual  life,  187.  Sect.  11. 
The  mystery  of  Christ,  his  names,  natures,  and  offices,  194. 
Sect.  12.  The  mystery  of  the  believer's  mixed  state  further  en., 
larged,  and  his  getting  good  out  of  evil,  199.  Sect.  13.  The 
mystery  of  the  saint's  adversaries  and  adversities,  204.     Sect. 

14.  The  mystery  of  the  believer's  pardon  and  security  from 
revenging  wrath,  notwithstanding  his  sin's  desert,  209.     Sect. 

15.  The  mystery  of  faith  and  sight,  216.  Sect.  16.  The  niys- 
tery  of  faith  and  works,  218.  And  of  rewards  of  grace  and 
debt,  222.     The  conclusion,         .         -         .         .         .  225 

PART  IV.     The  Believer's  Lodging. 

A  Paraphrase  upon  Psalm  Ixxxiv,  227.  Exercise  for  the  be- 
liever in  his  lotlging,  fom-fold,  233.  1.  The  holy  law;  or,  The 
ten  commandments,  ih.  2.  The  unholy  heart  the  reverse  of 
God's  law,  234.  3.  The  glorious  gospel  of  Christ  the  remedy, 
ib.     4.  The  prayer  of  faith  exemplified,         -         .         .  235 

PART  V.  The  Believer's  Soliloquy;  especially  in   times  of 
Desertion,  Temptation,  Affliction,  &,c.         -         -         -  236 

Sect.  1.  The  deserted  believer  longing  for  perfect  freedom 
from  sin,  ib.  Sect.  2.  The  deserted  believer's  prayer  under 
complaints  of  j^nbflicf,  darkness,  deadness,  and  hardness,  238. 
Sect.  3.  The  believer  wading  through  depths  of  desertion  and 
corruption,  241.  Sect.  4.  The  believer's  complaint  of  sin,  sor- 
row, and  want  of  love,  242.  Sect.  5.  The  deserted  soul's  pray- 
er for  the  Lord's  gracious  and  sin-subduing  presence,  244. 
Sect.  6.  The  song  of  heaven  desired  by  saints  on  earth,        ^,  246 

P  vRT  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles. 

Chap.  I.     Concerning  Creation  and  Redemption;  or,  some  of 
the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God,         -         -  249 

Sect.  1.  Of  creation.  The  first  chapter  of  Genesis  compen- 
dized,  i6.    The  sum  of  creation,  250.    Sect.  2.  Of  redemption. 


CONTENTS.  IX 

The  mystery  of  the  Redeemer's  incarnation,  or  God  manifest- 
ed in  the  flesh,  the  sum  of  redemption,  ib.  Sect.  3.  The  Re- 
deemer's works;  or  Christ  all  in  all,  and  our  comj)lete  redemp- 
tion. A  gospel  catechism  for  young  Christians,  252.  Sect.  4. 
Faith  and  works  both  excluded  from  the  matter  of  justifica- 
tion before  God,  that  redemption  may  appear  to  be  only  in 
Christ,        .---•.-..  256 

Chap.  II.  Concerning  the  law  and  the  gospel,         .         •  259 

Sect.  1.  The  mystery  of  law  and  gospel,  ih.  Sect.  2.  The 
difference  between  the  law  and  the  gospel,  272.  Sect.  3.  The 
harmony  between  the  law  and  the  gospel,  275.  Sect.  4.  The 
proper  place  and  station  of  the  law  and  the  gospel,  in  four 
paragraphs,  279.  Paragraph  1.  Tlie  place  and  station  of  law 
and  gospel  in  general,  ib.  Paragraph  2.  The  place  and  station 
of  law  and  gospel  in  particular,  280.  Paragraph  3.  The  gos- 
pel no  new  law;  but  a  joyful  sound  of  grace  and  mercy,  284. 
Paragraph  4.  The  gospel  further  described,  as  a  bundle  of 
good  news  and  gracious  promises.         .         -         -         .  288 

Chap.  III.     Concerning  Justification  and  Sanctification,  their 
dirterence  and  harmony,         -         .         -         •         •  288 

Sect.  1.  The  difference  between  justification  and  sanctifica- 
tion, or  righteousness  imputed,  and  grace  imparted,  in  up- 
wards of  thirty  particulars,  ib.  Sect.  2.  The  harmony  be- 
tween justification  and  sanctification,         -         -         .  293 

Chap.  IV.  Concerning  Faith  and  Sense,         .         .         -  295 

Sect.  1.  Faith  and  sense  natural  compared  and  distinguish- 
ed, ib.  Sect.  2.  Faith  and  sense  spiritual  compared  and  distin- 
guished, 297.  Sect.  3.  The  harmony  and  discord  between 
faith  and  sense,  299.  Sect.  4.  The  valor  and  victories  of  faith, 
300.  Sect.  3.  The  heiglits  and  depths  of  sense,  302.  Sect.  6. 
Faith  and  frames  compared,  or  faith  building  upon  sense  dis- 
covered,        ---..----  303 

Chap.  V.  Concerning  Heaven  and  earth,         -         •         -  306 

Sect.  1.  The   work  and   contention   of  heaven,  ib.    Sect.  2. 
Earth  despicable,  heaven  desirable,        -        .        .        .      308 


PREFACE  TO  THE  READER, 


Whatrver  apologies  this  book  has  formerly  been 
prefaced  with,  (as  to  the  manner  in  which  many  linos  iu 
it  are  written,)  shall  be  here  altogether  dropt  and  for- 
borne. I  now  dismiss  it  as  it  is,  under  the  conduct  of 
divine  Providence,  to  take  its  hazard  in  the  world;  since 
it  has  already  served  its  apprenticeship  under  several 
impressions,  and  gone  both  through  kind  and  hard  usage, 
through  good  and  bad  report.  It  never  promised  much 
to  them  that  seek  nothing  but  jyleasure  and  satisfaction 
to  their  fancy;  but  I  have  heard,  that  it  has  done  some 
service  (and  I  hope,  through  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  it 
may  yet  do  more)  to  them  that  seek  p7'oJit  and  edifica- 
tion to  their  souls. 

The  late  edition  of  this  book  at  London  being  more 
full  and  complete  than  any  that  was  formerly  emitted, 
it  is  fit  here  to  acquaint  the  reader,  that  this  is  printed 
exactly  off  the  London  copy,  without  any  material  addi- 
tion or  alteration,  except  in  the  third  part  of  the  hooh, 
that  comes  under  the  nB.meoi  Riddles,  ox  Mysteries;  and 
part  sixth,  Chap.  ii.  Sect,  i,  entitled,  The  helievcr^ s prin- 
ciples, concerning  the  mysteries  of  the  law  and  gospel: 
both  of  which  (because  there  were  several  demands  in 
this  country  for  a  new  edition,)  I  thought  fit  to  confirm 
by  scripture  texts,  cited  at  the  bottom  of  the  page,  for 
the  benefit  of  those  that  are  weak  in  knowledge  and  un- 
acquainted with  the  scripture.*  I  have  directed  them 
by  a  letter  of  the  alphabet,  at  every  branch  of  the  sen- 
tence that  is  either  seemingly  or  really  opposite  to  the 
other  unto  some  scripture  texts,  one  or  more,  for  evin- 
cing the  truth  thereof:  by  which  means,  the  weakest  that 
is  willing,  may  come  to  understand  the  most  difficult 
paradox,  or  mystery,  mentioned  in  this  work;  at  least  so 
far  as  to  see  that  every  part  of  it  is  founded  on  the  word 

*  The  scriptures  in  this  edition  are  extended  at  fidl  length . 


18  PREFACE. 

of  God,  either  directly,  or  by  plain  and  necessary  conse- 
quence. Only  this  general  rule  is  to  be  observed, 
namely,  that  the  reader  always  consider  what  is  the  sub- 
ject treated  in  every  section  or  stanza:  and  this  for  the  sake 
of  the  more  illiterate,  I  shall  illustrate  by  two  examples; 
the  one  concerning  the  law,  the  other  concerning  the 
believer.     The  former  you  see  Part  III.  Sect.  vi.  ver.  25. 

I'm  not  oblig'd  to  keep  it  more; 
Yet  more  oblig'd  than  e'er  before. 

Here  you  are  to  remark,  that  as  the  subject  spoken  of 
is  the  LAAV,  so  the  law  in  scripture  is  considered  two 
ways,  viz.  both  as  a  covenant  of  works,  and  as  a  rule  of 
duty.  Now,  that  the  believer  is  under  no  obligation  to 
the  law  as  it  is  a  covenant  of  works,  or  to  perform  obe- 
dience to  it  as  a  ground  of  justification,  (which  is  also 
the  subject  treated  in  that  Section,)  is  confirmed  in  the 
foot-notes  by  the  following  scriptures,  to  which  you  are 
directed  by  the  letter  (s,)  Rom.  6:14,  Gal.  5:1,2,3,4. 
Where  you  may  see  believers  are  said  to  be  "  not  under 
the  law,  but  under  grace;"  and  exhorted  to  "  stand  fast 
in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  them  free;" 
and  assured,  "  that  Christ  is  become  of  no  effect  to  them, 
whosoever  of  them  are  justified  by  the  law;  they  are 
fallen  from  grace."  Again,  that  the  believer  is  under 
more  obligation  than  ever  before  he  was  justified, 
to  yield  obedience  to  the  law  as  it  is  a  rule  of  life, 
(which  is  the  other  branch  of  that  paradox,)  is  con- 
firmed by  these  following  texts  of  scripture,  to  which  you 
are  directed  by  the  letter  [t,)  Rom.  6:1,2.15.  where  it 
is  said,  "  Shall  we  continue  in  sin,  that  grace  may 
abound?  God  forbid:  how  shall  we  that  are  dead  to  sin, 
live  any  longer  therein?  What  then?  shall  we  sin,  be- 
cause we  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace?  God 
forbid."  From  which  texts,  together  with  their  con- 
texts, it  is  evident,  that  the  believer's  freedom  from  the 
law  as  a  covenant,  does  not  at  all  free  him  from  obliga- 
tion to  it  as  a  rule,  but  superadds  to  the  natural  obliga- 
tion that  of  grace,  which  both  argumentatively  and  af- 
fectively teaches  what  the  law  does  authoritatively  and 
preceptively,  namely,  "  to  deny  ungodliness  and  wordly 


PREFACE.  13 

lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly,  in  this 
present  world."     Tit.  2:11,12. 

The  other  example  I  adduce,  you  may  read.  Part  III. 
Sect.  2.  verse  47,  where  the  words  are, 

To  good  and  evil  equal  bent, 
I'm  both  a  devil  and  a  saint. 

Here  the  reader  may  notice,  that  the  subject  spoken 
of  is  the  BELIEVER,  or  the  saint's  old  and  new  man  de- 
scribed, (which  is  part  of  the  title  of  that  Section,)  or 
considered  as  to  his  unregenerate  and  regenerate  part; 
in  which  view  he  is  frequently  spoken  of  in  scripture;  ex. 
gr.  1  John  3:6.9,  it  is  said  of  the  believer,  or  the  person 
born  of  God,  that  he  sinneth  not.  and  that  he  cannot  sin, 
because  he  is  born  of  God:  there  he  is  spoken  of  as  to  his 
new  nature,  or  regenerate  part.  But,  1  John  1 :8.  the 
words  are,  "  If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive 
ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us:"  where  the  apostle 
speaks  of  believers'  unregenerate  and  corrupt  part.  Now, 
this  being  the  scriptural  representation  of  the  believer, 
the  foresaid  paradox  is  easily  proved  from  scripture. 

The  first  branch  is,  that  he  is  equally  bent  to  good 
and  to  evil.  For  the  proof  of  this,  you  are  directed  in 
the  foot-note  to  Rom.  7:21,  where  the  apostle  Paul, 
speaking  both  of  his  corrupt  and  renewed  part,  says, "  I 
find  a  law,  that  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present 
with  me."  And,  if  you  read  the  preceding  and  follow- 
ing context,  you  will  find  him  complaining  how  corrup- 
tion bends  him  as  far  one  way  as  grace  another. 

The  other  part  of  the  same  paradox  is,  that  the  believ- 
er is,  on  these  accounts,  both  a  devil  and  a  saint.  Now, 
that  the  believer  is  by  nature  and  corruption  a  devil,  is 
one  branch  of  this  position  here  to  be  confirmed.  That 
he  is  so  by  nature,  is  proved  by  the  following  scriptures 
in  the  fore-cited  page  at  the  bottom,  John  6:70,  and 
8:44,  compared,  where  Christ,  speaking  of  some  that 
were  in  a  natural  state,  viz.  of  Judas  and  the  Jews,  dis- 
covers what  is  the  state  of  all  men  by  nature,  "that  they 
are  of  their  father  the  devil,  since  the  lusts  of  their  fa- 
ther they  will  do; "  and  therefore  may  be  called  devils, 
as  our  Lord  calls  Judas,  saying,  "I  have  chosen  you 
twelve,  and  one  of  you  is  a  devil."  And  such  are  be- 
2 


14  PEEPACE. 

lievers  also  naturally,  as  descendants  of  the  first  Adam^ 
being  "children  of  disobedience,  and  children  of  wrath 
by  nature,  even  as  others,"  Eph.  2;2,3.  And  that  the 
believer  is  so,  not  only  by  nature,  but  also  by  reason  of 
remaining  corruption,  is  proved  at  the  foot  of  the  same 
page,  from  James  3:15,  where  that  apostle,  speaking  of 
strife  and  envy,  that  may  be  even  among  the  children 
of  God,  (which  indeed  has  too  much  taken  place  in  all 
ages,)  says,  "  This  wisdom  descendeth  not  from  above, 
but  is  earthly,  sensual,  devilish.  Again,  that  though  the 
believer  be  by  nature  and  corruption  a  devil,  yet  he  isy 
by  grace  and  regeneration,  a  saint,  is  documented  also, 
IB  the  same  page,  from  1  Cor.  6:11,  ■  "Such  were  some 
of  you;  but  ye  are  sanctified,"  &c. 

In  this  manner,  you  may  easily  go  over  all  the  rest  of 
the  paradoxes,  riddles,  or  mysteries,  contained  in  this 
book,  and  find  them  evidently  confirmed  by  the  scrip- 
tures of  truth,  the  word  of  God.  This  naight  be  no  un° 
profitable  exercise,  but  tend  to  lead  you  into  the  true 
knowledge  of  the  gospel,  to  which  mysteries  are  so  es- 
sential, that  it  is  designed  by  them,  and  called  the  wis' 
dom  of  God  in  a  mystery,  1  Cor.  2:7;  and  the  knowledge  of 
which  is  so  essential  to  Christianity,  and  so  absolutely 
necessary  to  salvation,  that  the  same  apostle  declares, 
"  that  if  our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost; 
"  in  whom  the  God  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds 
"  of  them  which  believe  not,  lest  the  light  of  the  glorious 
"  gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God^  should  shine 
'•'  unto  them,"  2  Cor.  6:3. 

Again,  if  you  search  the  scriptures,  you  will  see  many 
more  proofs  for  every  point  than  I  have  adduced,  and 
perhaps  many  much  more  apposite;  for  these  only  are 
set  down  at  the  bottom  of  the  page  that  first  occurred 
to  me:  yet,  I  suppose,  though  sometimes  but  one,  and 
sometimes  more  scriptures  are  pointed  out,  they  are  such 
as  sufficiently  confirm  the  positions  they  relate  to.  But 
that  other  scriptures  might  have  been  adduced  in  plenty, 
I  shall  give  one  instance,  in  the  paradox  now  mentioned, 
viz.  that  every  believer,  while  in  this  world,  is  6o<A  a 
devil  and  a  saint.  The  latter  clause  is  what  none  will 
deny,  namely.  That  every  true  believer  is  a  saint;  for  fur- 
ther proof  of  wbich,^  you  might  see  Acts  15:9  and  2&;18y 


PREFACE.  15 

&:c.  But  because  the  first  clause  may  seem  more  harsh, 
it  may  by  scripture  be  also  further  evinced  two  vvayss 
1st.  In  respect  of  the  daily  commission  of  sin  he  has  to 
challenge  himself  with;  for  the  scripture  says,  Eccl.  7: 
20,  "There  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth  good 
and  sinneth  not."  And  with  this  compare  1  John  3:8 
*'  He  that  committeth  sin,  is  of  the  devil."  Hence  it  is 
plain,  there  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  but  may,  in 
respect  of  the  commission  of  sin,  be  called  a  dciul. 

2dly.  In  respect  of  prevalent  temptations,  by  which  he 
may  be  hurried  into  those  things  "  that  savor  not  of 
God,  but  of  men;"  on  which  account  Christ  says  to  Pe- 
ter, Matth.  16:23,  "Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan."  And 
if  Christ  calls  Peter  a  devil,  vphom  he  had  described  as 
a  saint  of  the  first  magnitude,  verse  17,  one  divinely 
blessed  and  enlightened;  what  occasion  may  every  be- 
liever have  to  call  himself  a  devil !  Yea,  it  is  a  part  of 
his  faith  and  sanctity,  to  see  and  acknowledge  with  shame 
before  the  Lord,  his  own  devilish  and  desperately  wick- 
ed heart  and  nature;  which  a  blind,  self-conceited  world 
are  ignorant  of,  being  neither  acquainted  with  them- 
selves, nor  with  God  and  his  word.  However,  so  it  is, 
that  the  more  any  shall  search  the  scripture,  the  more,  T 
hope,  will  they  discern,  not  only  by  the  texts  I  have  quo- 
ted, but  from  many  others  also,  the  truth  and  evidence 
of  every  part  of  this  book,  however  mystertous  some  pas- 
seges  of  it  may  seem  to  many. 

Though  some  of  these  lines  may  want  the  politeness 
that  can  please  the  curious  age,  yet,  while  they  stand 
firm  upon  a  scriptural  foundation,  none  of  them  want 
authority,  and  that  of  the  highest  nature,  except  -in  the 
account  of  mockers,  and  those  (of  whom  there  are  too 
many  in  our  day)  that  are  either  Deists,  who  underval- 
ue the  scripture,  or  Atheists,  who  deride  it:  and  it  is  sad- 
ly to  be  regretted,  that  those  people  are  hardened  in 
their  wicked  principles  and  practices,  by  some  that  per- 
haps have  a  higher  profession.  For  I  have  seen  two 
prints,  one  called  the  Groan,  and  another  the  Laugh^ 
wherein  some  lines,  picked  out  among  others,  have  been 
exposed  to  ridicule:  but  however  such  gentlemen  may 
laugh  at  their  own  sport,  and  wickedly  divert  themselves 


16  PREFACE. 

with  serious  matters  for  a  time,  I  fear  their  laughing 
will  issue  in  weeping  forever;  if  God  by  giving  them 
repentance,  do  not  make  them  groan  to  purpose,  for  the 
evidence  they  thus  give  of  either  their  grievous  igno- 
rance of  the  scripture,  or  their  gross  profanity,  and  of 
their  readiness  to  yield  themselves  instruments  of  the 
devil,  to  promote  the  atheistical  spirit  of  the  age,  which 
is  bent  enough,  without  any  such  provocations,  to  laugh 
3t  every  thing  serious,  sacred,  and  scriptural.  This  is 
so  palpable,  without  my  observation  upon  it,  and  so  self- 
evident  to  all  that  fear  God,  and  have  had  the  patience 
to  read  such  prints,  that  I  would  not  have  thought  them 
worth  my  noticing  so  far,  as  to  make  this  bare  mention 
of  them,  had  not  Providence  [)ut  the  pen  in  my  hand  to 
preface  this  edition,  wherein  scriptural  proofs  are  ad- 
ded to  that  part  of  the  book. 

Reader,  it  gives  me  satisfaction  enough  to  understand, 
that  this  book  has  already  been  useful  and  edifying  to 
some,  however  it  is  entertained  by  others.  The  gospel 
itself  is  to  some  the  savor  of  life,  to  others  the  savor  of 
death;  to  some  visdom  to  others  foolishness;  to  some 
matter  of  faith,  love,  and  comfort,  to  others  matter  of 
mockery  and  scorn.  I  shall  be  far  from  thinking  it  any 
discredit  or  disparagement  to  this  book,  if  it  meet  with 
the  like  entertainment.  May  the  Lord  of  Heaven  and 
earth,  who  overrules  all  things,  accompany  it,  in  its 
journeys  abroad  or  at  home,  with  his  blessing  to  many 
souls,  and  to  his  care  I  commend  it,  in  the  words  of  a  fa- 
mous Scots  poet,  upon  Psalm  35:1: 

Rerum  sancte  Opifex,  ades, 
Et  patrocjnio  protege  me  tuo. 

Which  may  be  adapted  to  the  matter  in  hand  thus. 

The  truth  which  hell  may  criticise^ 
Great  God,  be  near  to  patronize. 


A  POEM, 

DEDICATED  TO  THE  REV.  MR.  RALPH  ERSKINE, 

BV   A 

LADY  IN  NEW-ENGLAND, 

UPON 

.    READING  HIS  GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

ERSKINE,  thou  blessed  herald,  sound 
Till  sin's  black  empire  totter  to  the  ground; 
Well  hast  thou  Sinai's  awful  flames  display 'd, 
And  rebels'  doom  before  their  conscience  laid; 
From  sin,  from  self,  from  trust  in  duty  fly, 
Commit  thy  naked  soul  to  Christ,  or  die. 
Go  on  and  prosper  in  the  name  of  God, 
Seraphic  preacher  through  the  thorny  road; 
The  gracious  Christ  thy  labors  will  reward; 
His  angel  bands  be  thy  perpetual  guard; 
Though  hell's  dark  regions  at  the  present  hissj 
The  God  of  glory  thy  strong  refuge  is. 
Mere  moral  preachers  have  no  pow'r  to  charm, 
Thy  lines  are  such  my  nobler  passions  warm; 
These  glorious  truths  have  set  my  heart  on  fire. 
And  while  I  read,  I'm  love  and  pure  desire. 
May  the  black  train  of  errors  hatch'd  in  hell 
No  longer  on  this  globe  in  quiet  dwell; 
May  more  like  you  be  rais'd  to  shew  their  shamo, 
And  call  them  by  their  diabolic  name. 
Exalt  the  Lamb  in  lovely  white  and  red, 
Angels  and  saints  his  lasting  honors  spread; 
My  trembling  soul  shall  bear  her  feeble  part, 
'Tis  he  hath  charm'd  my  soul,  and  won  my  heart. 
Bless'd  be  the  Father  for  electing  love, 
Bless'd  be  the  Son  who  does  my  guilt  remove, 
Bless'd  be  the  Dove  who  does  his  grace  apply.    " 
Oh  1  mav  I  praising  live,  and  praising  die! 
2* 


I.IFE   OF    THE   AUTHOR. 


THE  Rev.  Mr,  Ralph  Erskine  was  honorably  descended  of 
very  respectable  ancestors;  his  father,  the  Rev,  Henry  Erskine. 
bein^  one  of  the  thirty-three  children  of  Ralph  Erskine  of  Shef.- 
field,  a  fan;jily  of  consider<able  repute  and  standing  in  the  county  of 
Merse,  and  originally  descended  from  the  ancient  house  of  Mar^ 
Our  author,  and  his  brother,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Erskine,  late  min- 
ister of  the  gospel  at  Stirling,  were  two  of  the  children  of  the  said 
Rev.  Henry  Erskine,  who  was  some  time  minister  of  the  gospel  at 
Cornwall,  afterwards  at  Chirnside;*  a  man  eminent  in  his  day,  and 
justly  distinguished  for  his  piety  and  firm  attachment  to  Presby- 
terian- principles:  for  his  steadfast  adherence  to  which,  he  was  sub- 
jected to  many  considerable  hardships  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century,  during  the  persecuting  period  of  Charles  II.  and  James 
Vll.t 

The  author  of  the  following  Poems,  was  born  at  Monilaws,  in 
the  county  of  Northumberland,  on  Sabbath  the  15th  of  March, 
J  665,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon;  and  baptized  at  Chirnside  on 
the  ."jth  of  April  said  year,  by  the  Rev.  William  Violand. 

He  gave  pretty  early  proofs  of  a  great  genius  and  fine  fancy; 
and  several  instances  of  a  pious  disposition  and  a  solid  way  of  re- 
flecting on  matters.  On  this  account  he  was,  by  his  parents,  early 
destined  for  the  holy  ministry,  who  resolved  to  give  him  a  regular 
and  liberal  education,  in  order  to  qualify  him  for  that  important 
office. 

When  he  had  acquired  a  competent  measure  of  grammar,  and 
otiier  introductory  parts  of  education,  he  went  to  the  university  of 
Edinburgh,  to  complete  his  studies;  where  he  went  through  the? 
ordinary  courses  of  Philosophy  and  Divinity  with  success;  and 
made  a  considerable  progress  in  the  branches  of  literature:  for  he 
soon  became  a  fine  Grecian,  an  excellent  Logician,  and  an  ac- 
complished Philosopher.  But  after  having  acquired  such  a  com- 
petent measure  of  knowledge,  in  these  various  branches  of  erudi- 
tion, he  gave  himself  up  to  tlie  study  of  Theology,  his  darling  and 
l>eloved  topic;  in  wliich  he  made  great  progress,  as  his  productions 
therein  do  abimdantly  evince. 

The  ordinary  course  of  philosophical  and  theological  studies 
being  gone  through,  at  the  college  of  Edinburgh,  with  success,  he 
was,  ia  th»  providence  of  God,  called  forth  to  appear  in  a  public 
character;  and  being  well  reported  of,  by  all  who  knew  him,  for  a 

*  dbrnwall  is  in  the  shire  of  Northumberland;  Chirnside  liep 
about  five  miles  from  Berwick  upon  Tweed,  in  the  Scots  side.       i 
+  See  tlie  continuation  of  Calaray's  Life  of  Baxter,  p.  681. 


LIFE   OF   THE   AUTHOR.  19 

conversation  becoming  tlie  gospel,  he  was  accordingly  taken  upon 
trial  by  the  Presbytery  of  Dunfermline:  and  having  finished  the 
usual  pieces  of  trial  assigned  him,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
Presbytery,  lie  was  by  them  licensed  to  preach  as  a  probationer, 
the  everlasting  gospel,  on  the  8lh  of  June,  1709.  In  which  capa- 
city he  exercised  the  talents  v/hich  the  Lord  had  graciously  con- 
ferred on  him,  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  Presbytery,  both  in 
vacancies  and  settled  congregations,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of 
his  hearers,  l)oth  ministers  and  peojtle,  as- his  certificate  from  that 
Presbytery,  dated  April  4th,  1711,  expressly  bears.  In  this  sta- 
tion of  life  he  did  not  long  remain:  Providence  soon  opened  a  door 
for  him;  and  he  got  a  unanimous  call  from  the  pari^liioners  of 
Dunfermline,  on  the  1st  of  May  1711,  to  exercise  his  ministerial 
tfilents  and  abilities  amongst  tliem;  which  call  was  approved  of  by 
the  Presbytery,  on  tlie  day  following,  as  regularly  proceeded  in. 
He  went  tliroiigh  the  usual  pieces  of  trial,  for  ordination,  prescri- 
bed by  tiie  Presbytery,  with  approbation;  and  thereupon  they  set 
him  apart  to  the  office  of  the  holy  ministry,  in  the  collegiate  charge 
of  Dunfermline,  on  August  7,  1711. 

Under  the  cliaracter  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  having  now  a 
pastoral  relation  to  a  particular  flock,  in  the  church  universal,  he 
"  determined  not  to  know  any  thing,  save  Jesus  Christ  and  him 
crucified."  He  was  "instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,"  in  all 
parts  of  his  ministerial  labors,  and  gave  himself  wholly  thereunto; 
exhorting  the  people  under  his.  trust,  from  house  to  house,  in  the 
way  of  family  visitation;  examining  them  more  publicly  upon  the 
principles  of  our  holy  religion;  visiting  the  sick  when  called;  and 
preaching  the  everlasting  gospel,  in  which  he  had  a  very  pleasing 
and  edifying  gift.  He  preached,  by  turns,  with  his  colleague  ev- 
ery Sabbath  and  Thursday,  through  the  year:  and  afterwards, 
when  he  had  none,  for  several  years  before  his  death,  he  officiated 
alone,  very  punctually  both  on  Sabbath  and  week  day. 

He  delivered  few  extemporary  preductions.  His  sermons  were 
generally  the  fruit  of  diligent  study,  and  assiduous  application. 
For  the  most  part  he  wrote  all;  and  kept  very  close  by  his  notes  in 
the  delivery,  except  when  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  carry  in  upon 
his  mind,  in  time  of  preaching,  some  pat  and  apposite  enlarge- 
ments, whereof  he  had  no  previous  study,  and  to  which  he  never- 
theless cheerfully  gave  way,  as  coming  from  Him,  who  has  the 
tongue  of  the  learned;  who  knows  how  to.  speak  a  word  in  season 
to  him  that  is  weary;  and  who  says,  "  it  shall  be  given  you  the  same 
hour  what  ye  shall  speak;  for  it  is  not  ye^at  speak,  but  the 
Spirit  of  your  Father  that  speaketh  in  yoii^^  He  was  Messed 
with  a  rich  and  fertile  invention,  as  appears  in  the  agreeable  and 
entertaining  diversity,'  wherewith  his  heads  of  doctrine  are  every 
where  adorned.  The  poetical  genius,  with  which  he  was  happily- 
endowed,  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  embellishment  Of  his  dis- 
courses, with  a  variety  of  pertinent  epithets  and  striking  metaphors. 

His  gift  of  preaching  was  both  instructing  and  searching^  ,Few 
outshone  him  in  the  nervous  and  convincing  manner  whereby  he 
confirmed  the  t^uth  of  the  doctrines  he  insisted  on;  and  fewer  still 


?0  LIFE    OF   THE    ArXHOR. 

in  the  warm  and  pathetic  address,  in  which  he  enforced  the  prac- 
tice  of  them. 

He  peculiarly  excelled  in  the  ample  and  free  offers  of  Christ  he 
made  to  his  hearers;  and  the  captivating-  and  alluiing  methods  he 
used,  for  gaining  their  compliance,  or  tJieir  receiving  and  resting 
on  Clirist  alone  for  their  salvation,  as  thus  freely  and  fully  exhib- 
ited unto  them  in  the  gospel.  On  all  which  accounts  he  was  just- 
ly esteemed,  and  much  followed,  as  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
edifying  preachers  of  his  day.  During  his  time,  sacramental 
solemnities,  at  Dunfermline,  wore  very  much  crowded;  numbers 
of  people,  from  several  parts  of  the  kingdom,  resorting  unto  them: 
and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  countenance  some  of  these  commu- 
nions, with  signal  evidences  of  his  gracious  presence  and  influ- 
ence, to  the  sweet  and  comfortable  experience  of  many. 

It  will  easily  appear  to  the  judicious  and  experienced  reader,  in 
perusing  his  writings,  that  lie  had  as  dexterous  a  faculty  in  ran- 
sacking the  plagues  of  tlie  heart,  and  describing  the  diversified  cir- 
cumstances  of  serious  and  exercised  souls,  as  if  they  had  fully  com- 
municated their  several  doubts  and  cases  unto  him;  while,  in  the 
mean  time,  he  was  only  unfolding  the  inward  experience  of  his 
own  soul,  what  lie  himself  felt  of  the  workings  of  unbelief,  and  of 
tlie  powerful  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  opposition  thereunto; 
which  could  not  but  quadrate,  or  agree,  with  the  operations  of  the 
self-same  Spirit  of  God  in  others;  lor,  "  as  in  water,  face  answer- 
eth  to  face,  so  doth  the  heart  of  man  to  man." 

This  eminent  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  being  exercised  to  godli- 
ness from  his  youth,  became,  by  the  grace  of  God,  a  "  scribe  in- 
structed into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,"  whom  our  Lord  compares  to 
"an  householder,  which  bringeth  forth  out  of  his  treasure,  things 
new  and  old."  Old  invariable  truths,  but  new  illustrations  of  them; 
old  experiences,  the  same  with  other  saints  before,  but  new  obser- 
vations and  improvements  upon  them:  so  that,  with  abundance  of 
propriety,  it  may  be  said,  that  there  are  few  perplexing  doubts,  or 
intricate  cases,  which  the  saints  have,  at  any  time  been  exercised 
with,  that  are  not  in  some  one  or  other  of  his  sermons,  ver}"^  judi- 
ciously solved,  and  distinctly  elucidated,  or  cleared  ujj. 

During  our  author's  lifetime,  and  at  the  importunity  of  many 
of  his  acquaintances,  both  ministers  and  people,  he  published  a 
ereat  number  of  his  sermons,  on  the  most  interesting  subjects, 
which  were  well  relished  by  the  truly  godly,  and  had  their  praises 
in  the  churches  of  Christ,  both  at  homo  and  abroad.  These,  with 
several  otliers,  transcribed  from  his  notes,  were  first  collected  to- 
gether after  his  death,  and  published  along  with  his  iwems,  in  two 
large  volumes  in  folio,  in  the  y^ars  1764  and  1765,  printed  in  an 
elegant  manner;  and  since  that  time,  reprinted  in  ten  large  volumes 
octavo,  for  the  more  couveniency  of  readers  and  purcliascrs,  with 
considerable  additions  and  amendments.  We  cannot  aisraiss  this 
account  of  our  author,  without  taking  notice  of  another  particular 
concerning  him,  which  constitutes  a  very  material  branch  of  his 
character.  He  was  not  only  deservedly  esteemed  as  a  judicious 
Divine,  but  also  much  respected  as  a  Poet:  and  he  hath  favored 


LIFE    OF    THE    AUTHOR.  21 

the  world  with  several  excellent  productions  of  that  nature,  which 
liave  all  met  with  a  very  favorable  reception.  His  poetical  talent 
was  employed  chiefly  on  divine  subjects;  he  had  no  relish  and  taste 
for  any  other.  In  his  younger  years,  at  his  leisure  hours,  he  com- 
posed the  following  piece,  which  is  now  entitled  Gospel  Sonnets, 
or  Spiritual  Songs,  in  six  parts.  The  usefulness  of  tliis  poetical 
conipend  of  the  revealed  principles  of  our  holy  religion,  for  promo- 
ting the  life  of  faith,  comfort,  and  holiness,  will  be  experienced,  it 
is  hoped,  by  many  of  the  saintsof  God,  to  the  latest  posterity.  This 
piece  was  so  well  relished,  that  it  has  undergone  a  multitude  of  im- 
pressions; and  the  demand  for  it  is  as  great  as  ever. 

About  the  year  1738,  he  emitted  into  the  world  his  poetical  par- 
aphrase upon  the  whole  book  of  the -Soreff  of  Solomon;  which  indeed 
is  an  evangelical  comment,  done  in  a  strain  adapted  to  tiie  New 
Testament  dispensation,  upon  that  allegorical  or  figurative  part  of 
holy  writ.  This  performance  has  liitewise  been  very  acceptable, 
and  has  undergone  a  variety  of  editions. 

By  emitting  the  above  poetical  essays  into  the  world,  and  some 
smaller  performances,  our  author's  abilities  as  a  poet  came  to  be 
known;  and  induced  the  Reverend  Synod  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, repeatedly  to  importune  him  to  employ  some  of  his  vacant 
hours  in  turning  all  the  poetical  passages  of  sacred  writ  into  com- 
mon metre,  of  the  same  kind  with  the  Psalms  of  David.  These 
recommendation s  he  at  last  complied  with;  and  his  prodiictions 
made  their  appearance,  under  tiic  title  o{  Scripture  Sonfrtt,  selected 
from  several  passages  in  tlie  Old  Testament,  which  were  well 
relished,  and  have  now  undergone  several  editions. 

Our  author,  besides  his  sermons  and  poems,  publislied  several 
tracts,  on  some  points  of  controversy,  in  which  he  displaj^^ed  his 
abilities  as  a  writer;  pariicuhirly  an  elaborate  treatise,  entitled. 
Faith  no  Fancy;  or,  a  Treatise  of  Mental  Images:  a  book  singular- 
ly valuable,  for  the  clear  and  perspicuous  manner  in  wliicli  he  hath 
handled  and  established  this  important  point,  every  way  worthy  of 
our  author,  and  which  reflected  the  highest  honor  upon  him;  in  re- 
gard it  hath  given  the  greatest  display  of  his  abilities,  both  as  a 
divine  and  philosopher,  and  how  capable  he  was  to  exhaust  any 
point,  when  he  set  himself  to  it,  even  in  an  abstract  way  of  reason- 
ing:  a  book  that  effectually  silenced  all  its  opponents,  and  stands  to 
this  day  unanswered. 

This  faithful  and  laborious  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  labored  suc- 
cessfully in  the  work  oi  the  ministry,  and  continued  publicly  useful 
in  his  Master's  work,  till  within  a  few  days  of  his  departure;  for  he 
preached  in  his  own  pulpit  on  Sabbath  the  2iitli  of  October,  1752,  and 
he  was  thereafter  seized,  in  the  end  of  the  same  month,  viz.  Octo- 
lober,  1752,  witli  a  nervous  fever,  (wherein,  nevertheless,  he  enjoy, 
ed  the  exercise  of  his  judgment  and"  senses,)  which  lasted  only  for 
a  few  days,  and  at  last  was  the  happy  messenger  of  freeing  him 
from  the  encumbrances  of  an  embodied  state,  and  leading  him  to 
the  world  of  spirits,  and  the  regions  of  eternal  bliss  and  felicity;  for, 
on  the  eighth  day  of  the  fever,  he  fell  asleep  in  the  Lord,  being  Mon- 
day, November  6th,  1752,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age,  after  laboring 


23  LIFE    OF   THE   AUTHOR. 

unweariedly  and  successfully  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  among 
his  flock  in  Dunfermline,  for  the  space  of  forty-two  years.  Mr. 
Erskine,  our  worthy  author,  affords  room  for  large  commendations, 
were  we  disposed  to  give  them;  his  complete  character  is  truly 
great,  and  his  disposition  exceedingly  amiable.  If  he  is  consider- 
ed  as  to  his  natural  endowments,  he  possessed  many  fine  qualities; 
he  had  a  sweet  temper,  a  clear  head,  a  rich  invention,  a  lively  ima- 
gination, and  a  great  memory.  If  he  is  viewed  as  to  his  acquired 
abilities;  he  was  well  acquainted  with  all  the  useful  branches  of 
literature,  necessary  to  adorn  the  scholar  and  the  minister.  If  he 
is  considered  as  to  his  office;  he  was  a  great  and  judicious  divine,  a 
pious  evangelical  preacher,  and  an  able  casuist.  In  short,  he  was 
not  only  a  learned  man,  and  an  able  divine,  but  an  affectionate  and 
familiar  friend,  a  social  companion,  a  devout  Christian,  and  a  burn- 
ing and  shining  light. 

By  his  death,  the  Church  of  Christ  lost  a  great  light,  a  heroic 
cha)npion  for  the  truth,  and  a  bold  contender  for  the  faith  once  de- 
livered unto  the  saints.  Tlie  body  he  was  last  connected  with, 
have  been  deprived  of  a  useful  member,  and  a  shining  ornament  to 
their  cause.  Tlie  congregation  he  labored  among  lost  an  able, 
faithful  minister,  a  laborious  and  successful  wrestler,  and  a  painful 
and  diligent  instructor.  His  family  and  relatives  lost  a  true  friend, 
an  affectionate  husband,  a  tender  hearted  parent,  and  a  striking 
pattern  of  virtue.  His  acquaintances  and  intimates,  an  endearing 
brother,  a  social  companion,  and  an  engaging  friend. 

Mr.  Erskine  was  twice  married.  His  first  marriage  was  with 
Margaret  Dewar,  a  daughter  of  the  Laird  of  Lassodie,  which  com- 
menced the  15th  of  July,  1714.  She  lived  about  sixteen  years; 
during  which  time  she  bore  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters: three  of  these  sons  were  ministers  in  the  Association,  viz.  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Henry,  John,  and  James;  the  first  ordained  minister 
at  Falkirk,  the  second  at  Leslie,  and  the  third  at  Stirling.  All  of 
them  died  in  the  prime  of  life,  when  they  had  given  the  world  just 
ground  to  conceive  high  expectations  of  their  usefulness  in  the 
church.  His  second  marriage  was  with  Margaret  Simpson,  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Simpson,  writer  to  the  signet  at  Edinburgh,  which 
took  place  February  24th,  1732.  She  bore  him  four  sons,  and  sur- 
vived himself  some  few  years.  One  of  his  sons  of  this  marriage  is 
still  in  life,  and  resides  at  London.  All  his  otlier  children  are  now 
removed  by  death. 


AN  ACROSTIC. 

M  trcH  fam'd  on  earth,  renown'd  for  piety,' 
A  midst  bright  seraphs  now  sings  cheerfully. 
S  acred  thine  anthems  yield  much  pleasure  here,' 
T  hese  songs  of  thine  do  truly  charm  the  ear.* 
E  ach  line  thou  wrot'st  doth  admiration  raise; 
R  ouse  up  the  soul  to  true  seraphic  praise. 

R  eligiously  thy  life  below  was  spent: 

A  mazing  pleasures  now  thy  soul  content. 

L  ong  didst  thou  labor  in  the  church  below, 

P  ointing  out  Christ,  the  Lamb,  who  saves  from  wo, 

H  eaven's  blessedness  on  sinners  to  bestow. 

E  RSKiNE  the  great!  whose  pen  spread  far  abroad 

R  edeeming  love,  the  sole  device  of  God; 

S  ubstantial  themes  thy  thoughts  did  much  pursue; 

K  ept  pure  the  truth,  espous'd  but  by  a  few. 

I  ntegrity  of  heart,  of  soul  serene;  ^ 

N  o  friend  to  vice,  no  cloak  to  the  profane:      > 

E_,mploy'd  thy  talents  to  reclaim  the  vain.         ) 

*  Alluding  to  his  poetical  piecee- 


C^OSPEL.  SONNETS. 

PART    I* 

THE  BELIEVER'S  ESPOUSALS. 
A   POEM 

Upon  Isaiah  54:5.     Thy  Maker  is  thy  Husband. 

PKEFACE. 

Hark,  dying  mortal,  if  the  Sonnet  prove 
A  Song  of  living  and  immortal  love, 
'Tis  then  thy  grand  concern  the  theme  to  know, 
If  life  and  immortality  be  so. 
Are  eyes  to  read,  or  ears  to  hear  a  trust? 
Shall  both  in  death  be  cramm'd  anon  with  dust? 
Then  trifle  not  to  please  thine  ear  and  eye, 
But  read  thou,  hear  thou,  for  eternity. 
Pursue  not  shadows  wing'd,  but  be  thy  chase 
The  God  of  glory,  on  the  field  of  grace: 
The  mighty  hunter's  name  is  lost  in  vain. 
That  runs  not  this  substantial  prize  to  gain. 
These  humble  lines  assume  no  high  pretence, 
To  please  thy  fancy,  or  allure  thy  sense: 
But  aim,  if  everlasting  life's  thy  chase, 
To  clear  thy  mind,  and  warm  thy  heart  through  grace. 

A  marriage  so  mysterious  I  proclaim, 
Betwixt  two  parties  of  such  diff'rent  fame. 
That  human  tongues  may  blush  their  names  to  tell. 
To  wit,  the  Prince  of  Heaven,  the  heir  of  hell ! 
But,  on  so  vast  a  subject,  who  can  find 
Words  suiting  the  conceptions  of  his  mind? 
Or,  if  our  language  with  our  thought  could  vie, 
What  mortal  thought  can  raise  itself  so  high? 
When  words  and  thoughts  both  fail,  may  faith  and  pray'r 
Ascend,  by  climbing  up  the  scripture  stair: 
From  sacred  writ  these  strange  espousals  may 
Be  explicated  in  the  foU'wing  way. 
3 


26  GOSPEL   SONNETS*  PABT  I, 

CHAPTER  I. 

A  GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF  MAN's  FALL  IN  ADAM,  AND  THE 
REMEDY  PROVIDED  IN  CHJRIST:  AN©  A  PARTICULAR 
ACCOUNT  OF  man's  BEING  NATURALLY  WEDDED  TO 
IHE    LAWv  AS    A    COVENANT   OF   WORKS* 

Section  i.    The  fall  of  Adamo 

Old  Adam  once  a  heav'n  of  pleasure  found,. 
While  he  with  perfect  innocence  was  crown'd; 
His  wing'd  affections  to  his  God  could  move 
In  raptures  of  desire,  and  strains  of  love. 
Man,  standing  spotless,  pure,  and  innocent, 
Could  well  the  lav/  of  works  with  works  content; 
Though  then,  (nor  since,)  it  could  demand  no  less 
Than  personal  and  perfect  righteousness: 
These,  unto  sinless  man  were  easy  terms, 
Though  now  beyond  the  reach  of  wither'd  arms; 
The  legal  cov'nant  then  upon  the  field, 
Perfection  sought,  man  could  perfection  yield- 
Rich  had  he,  and  his  progeny,  remain'd, 
Had  he  primoval  innocence  maintain'd: 
His  life  had  been  a  rest  without  annoy, 
A  scene  of  bliss,  a  paradise  of  joy. 
But  subtle  Satan,  in  the  serpent  hid,. 
Proposing  fair  the  fruit  that  God  forbid, 
Man  soon  seduc'd  by  hell's  alluring  art. 
Did,  disobedient,  from  the  rule  depart; 
Devour'd  the  bait,  and,  by  his  bold  offence,. 
Fell  from  his  blissful  state  of  innocence.* 
Prosiraie,  he  lost  his  God,  his  life,  his  crown. 
From  all  his  gloiy  tumbled  headlong  down; 
Plting'd  in  a  deep  abyss  of  sin  and  wo, 
Where,  void  of  heart  to  will,  or  hand  to  do, 
For  's  own  relief  he  can't  command  a  thought. 
The  tuta!  snia  of  what  he  can  is  nought. 
He's  abio  only  now  t'  increase  his  thrall; 
He  can  destroy  himself,  and  that  is  all. 

*Gen.  3:  1—6 


«CHAP.  X.  THE  believer's    ESPOUSALS.  27 

But  can  the  hellish  brat  heav'n's  law  fulfil, 

Whose  precepts  high  surmount  his  strength  and  sHill'? 

Can  filthy  dross  produce  a  golden  beam? 

Or  poison'd  springs  a  salutif'rous  stream? 

Can  carnal  minds,  fierce  enmity's  wide  maw, 

Be  duly  subject  to  the  divine  law? 

Nay,  new  its  direful  threafnings  must  take  place 

On  all  the  disobedient  human  race, 

Who  do  by  guilt  Omnipotence  provoke. 

Obnoxious  stand  to  his  uplifted  stroke. 

They  must  ingulf  themselves  in  endless  woes. 

Who  to  the  living  God  aie  deadly  foes; 

Who  natively  his  holy  will  gainsay, 

Must  to  his  awful  justice  fall  a  prey. 

In  vain  do  mankind  now  expect,  in  vain 

By  legal  deeds  immortal  life  to  gain: 

Nay,  death  is  threaten'd,  threats  must  have  their  due, 

X)i  souls  that  sin  must  die,*  as  God  is  true. 

Sect.  ii.     Redemption  through  Christ. 

The  second  Adam,  sov'reign  Lord  of  all. 
Did,  by  his  Father's  authorizing  call, 
From  bosom  of  eternal  love  descend. 
To  save  the  guilty  race  that  him  offend; 
To  treat  an  everlasting  peace  with  those 
Who  were  and  ever  would  have  been  his  foes. 
His  errand,  never  ending  life  to  give 
To  them,  whose  malice  would  not  let  him  live; 
To  make  a  match  with  rebels,  and  espouse 
The  brat  which  at  his  love  her  spite  avows. 
Himself  he  humbled  to  depress  her  pride, 
And  make  his  mortal  foe  his  loving  bride. 
But,  ere  the  marriage  can  be  solemniz'd, 
All  lets  must  be  remov'd,  all  parties  pleas'd. 
Law  righteousness  reqidr''d,  must  be  procur'd. 
Law  vengeance  threaten'd,  must  be  full  endur'd. 
Stern  justice  must  have  credit  by  the  match, 
Sweet  mercy  by  the  heart  the  bride  must  catch. 
Poor  bankrupt/  all  her  debt  must  first  be  paid. 
Her  former  husband  in  the  grave  be  laid: 

*EzeL  1&  4 


28  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  »AB»  Bl 

Her  present  ]o\^  must  be  at  the  cost. 

To  save  and  ransome  to  the  uttermost; 

If  all  these  things  this  suitor  kind  can  do. 

Then  he  ntiay  win  her,  and  her  blessing  too. 

Hard  terms  indeed!  while  death's  the  first  demand; 

But  love  is  strong  as  death  *  and  will  not  stand 

To  carry  on  the  suit,  and  make  it  good, 

Though  at  the  dearest  rate  of  wounds  and  blood. 

The  burden's  heavy,  but  the  back  is  broad, 

The  glorious  lover  is  the  mighty  God.f 

Kind  bowels  yearning  in  th'  eternal  Son, 

He  left  his  Father's  court,  his  heav'nly  throne:: 

Aside  he  threw  his  most  divine  array, 

And  wrapt  his  Godhead  in  a  veil  of  clay. 

Angelic  armies,  who  in  glory  crown'd. 

With  joyful  harps  his  awful  throne  surround,. 

Down  to  the  crystal  frontier  of  the  sky,:^ 

To  see  the  Saviour  born,  did  eager  fly; 
-And  ever  since  beholid  with  wonder  fresh 

Their  Sov'reign  v.iid  our  Saviour  wrapt  in  flesh. 

Who  in  his  guru  uid  laighty  love  display, 

Restoring  what  he  never  took  away,\ 

To  God  his  glory,  to  the  law  its  due. 

To  heav'n  its  honor,  to  the  earth  its  hue. 

To  man  a  righteousness  divine,  complete, 

A  royal  robe  to  suit  the  nuptial  rite. 

He  in  her  favors,  whom  he  lov'd  so  well. 

At  once  did  purchase  heav'n,  and  vanquish  helL 

Oh!  unexampled  love!  so  vast,  so  strong, 

So  great,  so  high,  so  deep,  so  broad,  so  long! 

Can  finite  thought  this  ocean  huge  explore, 
»  Unconscious  of  a  bottom  or  a  shore? 

His  love  admits  no  parallel;  for  why? 

At  one  great  draught  of  love  he  drank  hell  dry. 

No  drop  of  wrathful  gall  he  left  behind; 

No  dreg  to  witness  that  he  was  unkind. 

The  sword  of  awful  justice  peircM  his  side. 

That  mercy  thence  might  gush  upon  the  bride. 

The  meritorious  labors  of  his  life. 

And  glorious  conquests  of  his  dying  strife; 

*Song8:6.         +Isa.9:6.        tLuke2:9— 14.      §P8id.C9:4. 


CHAP.  1.  TfiE  Believer's  e^pousais,  2S 

Her  debt  of  doing,  sufF'ring,  both  cancell'd, 
And  broke  the  bars  his  lawful  captive  held. 
Down  to  the  ground  the  hellish  host  he  threw, 
Then  mounting  high  the  trump  of  triumph  blew, 
Attended  with  a  bright  seraphic  band, 
Sat  down  enthron'd  sublime  on  God's  right  hand; 
Where  glorious  choirs  their  various  harps  employ, 
To  sound  his  praises  with  confed'rate  joy. 
There  he,  the  bride's  strong  intercessor,  sits, 
And  thence  the  blessings  of  his  blood  transmits. 
Sprinkling  all  o'er  the  flaming  throne  of  God, 
Pleads  for  her  pardon  his  atoning  blood; 
Sends  down  his  holy  co-eternal  Dove, 
To  shew  the  wonders  of  incarnate  love. 
To  woo  and  win  the  bride's  reluctant  heart. 
And  pierce  it  with  his  kindly  killing  dart; 
By  gospel  light  to  manifest  that  now 
She  has  no  further  with  the  law  to  do; 
That  her  new  Lord  has  loos'd  the  fed'ral  tie, 
That  once  hard  bound  her,  or  to  do  or  die; 
That  precepts,  threats,  no  single  mite  can  crave. 
Thus  for  her  former  spouse  he  digg'd  a  grave; 
The  law  fast  to  his  cross  did  nail  and  pin,  ^ 

Then  bury'd  the  defunct  his  tomb  within,  > 

That  he  the  lonely  widow  to  himself  might  win.  ) 

Sect.  hi.     Man's  Legal  Disposition. 

But,  after  all,  the  bride's  so  mal-content,       i 
No  argument,  save  pow'r,  is  prevalent  V 

To  bow  her  will,  and  gain  her  heart's  consent.  J 
The  glorious  Prince's  suit  she  disapproves, 
The  law,  her  old  primordial  husband,  loves; 
Hopeful  in  its  embraces  life  to  have. 
Though  dead  and  bury'd  in  her  suitor's  grave; 
Unable  to  give  life,  as  once  before; 
Unfit  to  be  a  husband  any  more. 
Yet  proudly  she  the  new  address  disdains, 
And  all  the  blest  Redeemer's  love  and  pains; 
Though  now  his  head,  that  cruel  thorns  did  wound, 
Is  with  immortal  glory  circled  round; 
Archangels  at  his  awful  footstool  bow. 
And  drawing  love  sits  smiling  on  his  brow. 
3* 


30  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAST  I- 

Though  down  he  sends  in  gospel  tidings  good 

Epistles  of  his  love,  sign 'd  with  his  blood; 

Yet  lordly  she  the  royal  suit  rejects, 

Eternal  life  by  legal  works  affects; 

In  vain  the  Iwing  seeks  among  the  dead,* 

Sues  quick'ning  comforts  in  a  killing  head. 

Her  dead  and  buried  husband  has  her  heart, 

Which  can  nor  death  remove,  nor  life  impart. 

Thus  all  revolting  Adam's  blinded  race 

In  their  first  spouse  their  hope  and  comfort  place. 

They  natively  expect,  if  guilt  them  press, 

Salvation  by  a  homebred  righteousness: 

They  look  foi  favor  in  Jehovah's  eyes, 

By  careful  doing  all  that  in  them  lies. 

'Tis  still  their  primary  attempt  to  draw 

Their  life  and  comfort  from  the  vet'ran  law; 

They  flee  not  to  the  hope  the  gospel  gives;  \ 

To  trust  a  promise  bare,  their  mind  aggrieves,  v 

Which  judge  the  man  that  does,  the  man  that  lives,    j 

As  native  as  they  draw  their  vital  breath, 

Their  fond  recourse  is  to  the  legal  path, 

"  Why,"  says  old  nature,  in  law  wedded  man, 

"  Won't  Heav'n  be  pleas'd,  if  I  do  all  I  cani 

"  If  I  conform  my  walk  to  nature's  light, 

"  And  strive,  intent  to  practise  what  is  right, 

"  Thus  won't  I  by  the  God  of  heav'n  be  bless'd, 

"  And  win  his  favor,  if  I  do  my  best? 

"  Good  God  !  (he  cries,)  when  press'd  with  debt  and  thrall, 

"  Have  patience  with  me,  and  Pll  pay  thee  aZ/."f 

Upon  their  all,  their  best,  they're  fondly  mad. 

Though  yet  their  all  is  naught,  their  best  is  bad. 

Proud  man  his  can-does  mightily  exalts. 

Yet  are  his  brightest  works  but  splendid  faults. 

A  sinner  may  have  shews  of  good,  but  still 

The  best  he  can,  ev'n  at  his  best,  is  ill. 

Can  heav'n  or  divine  favor  e'er  be  won 

By  those  that  are  a  mass  of  hell  and  sin? 

The  righteous  law  does  num'rous  woes  denounce 

Against  the  wretched  soul  that  fails  but  once: 

What  heaps  of  curses  on  their  heads  it  rears. 

That  have  amass'd  the  guilt  of  num'rous  years! 

*  Luke  26:  5.  X  Matthew  18:  26. 


CHAP.  I.  ■  THE   believer's   ESPOUSALS.  31 

Sect.  iv.    Man's  strict  attachment  to  legal  Terms,  or  to  the  law 
as  a  condition  of  hfe. 

Say,  on  what  terms  then  Heav'n  appeas'd  will  be? 
Why,  sure  perfection  is  the  least  degree, 
Yea,  more,  full  satisfaction  must  be  giv'n 
For  trespass  done  against  the  laws  of  Heav'n. 
These  are  the  terms:  what  mortal  back  so  broad. 
But  must  for  ever  sink  beneath  the  load? 
A  ransom  must  be  found,  or  die  they  must, 
Sure,  ev'n  as  justice  infinite  is  just. 
But,  says  the  legal,  proud,  self-righteous  heart. 
Which  cannot  with  her  ancient  consort  part, 
♦'  What!  won't  the  goodness  of  the  God  of  heav'n, 
"  Admit  of  smalls,  when  greater  can't  be  given? 
•'  He  knows  our  fall  diminish'd  all  our  funds, 
"  Won't  he  accept  of  pennies  now  for  pounds? 
•'  Sincere  endeavors  for  perfection  take, 
"  Or  terms  more  possible  for  mankind  make?'* 
Ah !  poor  divinity,  and  jargon  loose; 
Such  hay  and  straw  will  never  build  the  house. 
Mistake  not  here,  proud  mortal,  don't  mistake, 
God  changes  not,  nor  other  terms  will  make. 
Will  divine  faithfulness  itself  deny. 
Which  swore  solemnly,  Man  shall  do,  or  die? 
Will  God  most  true  extend  to  us,  forsooth, 
His  goodness,  to  the  damage  of  his  truth? 
Will  spotless  holiness  be  baffled  thus? 
Or  awful  justice  be  unjust  for  us? 
Shall  faithfulness  be  faithless  for  our  sake, 
And  he  his  threats,  as  we  our  precepts,  break? 
Will  our  great  Creditor  deny  himself; 
And  for  full  payment  take  our  filthy  pelf? 
Dispense  with  justice,  to  let  mercy  vent? 
And  stain  his  royal  crown  with  'minish'd  rent? 
Unworthy  thought!    O  let  no  mortal  clod 
Hold  such  base  notions  of  a  glorious  God. 
Heaven's  holy  covenant,  made  for  human  race, 
Consists,  or  whole  of  works  or  whole  of  grace. 
If  works  will  take  the  field,  then  works  must  be 
For  ever  perfect  to  the  last  degree: 
Will  God  dispense  with  less?     Nay,  sure  he  won't 
With  ragged  toll  his  royal  law  affront. 


32  G08PEI.  SONNETS.  PAKT  Z. 

Can  rage,  that  Sinai  flames  will  soon  despatch, 
E'er  prove  the  fiery  law's  adequate  match? 
Vain  man  must  be  divorc'd,  and  choose  to  take 
Another  husband,  or  a  burning  lake. 

We  find  the  divine  volume  no  where  teach 
New  legal  terms  within  our  mortal  reach. 
Some  make,  though  in  the  sacred  page  unknown, 
Sincerity  assume  perfection's  throne; 
But  who  will  boast  this  base  usurper's  sway,  ^ 

Save  ministers  of  darkness,  that  display  > 

Invented  night,  to  stifle  scripture  day?  J 

The  nat'ralist's  sincerity  is  naught, 
That  of  the  gracious  is  divinely  taught; 
Which  teaching  keeps  their  graces,  if  sincere. 
Within  the  limits  of  the  gospel  sphere, 
Where,  vaunting,  none  created  graces  sing,  , 

Nor  boast  of  streams,  but  of  the  Lord  the  spring. 
Sinceiity's  the  soul  of  ev'ry  grace. 
The  quality  of  all  the  ransom'd  race, 
Of  promis'd  favor  'tis  a  fruit,  a  clause; 
But  no  procuring  term,  no  moving  cause. 

How  unadvis'd  the  legal  mind  confounds 
The  marks  of  divine  favor  with  the  grounds, 
And  qualities  of  covenanted  friends 
With  the  condition  of  the  cov'nant  blends? 
Thus  holding  gospel  truths  with  legal  arms, 
Mistakes  new  covenant  fruits  for  fed'ral  terms. 
The  joyful  sound  no  change  of  terms  allows. 
But  change  of  persons,  or  another  spouse. 
The  nature  same  that  sinn'd  must  do  and  die; 
No  milder  terms  in  gospel  offers  lie. 
For  grace  no  other  law  abatement  shews, 
But  how  law  debtors  may  restore  its  dues; 
Restore,  yea  through  a  surety  in  their  place, 
With  double  int'rest  and  a  better  grace. 
Here  we  of  no  new  terms  of  life  are  told, 
But  of  a  husband  to  fulfil  the  old; 
With  him  alone  by  faith  we're  call'd  to  wed, 
And  let  no  rival  *bruik  the  marriage  bed. 

*  Enjoy, 


<mAl>.  I.  THE   believer's    ESPOUSALS.  SS 

Bectt.  t.     Men's  vain  attempt  to  seek  life  by  Christ's  righteooft- 
ness,  joined  with  their  own;  and  legal  hopes  natural  lo  al^ 

But  still  the  bride  reluctant  disallows 
The  junior  suit,  and  hugs  the  senior  spouse. 
Such  the  old  selfish  folly  of  her  mind, 
So  bent  to  lick  the  dust,  and  grasp  the  wind. 
Alleging  works  and  duties  of  her  own 
May  for  her  criminal  offence  atone; 
She  will  her  antic  dirty  robe  provide, 
Which  vain  she  hopes  will  all  pollutions  hide. 
The  filthy  rags  that  saints  away  have  flung. 
She,  holding,  wraps  and  rolls  herself  in  dung; 
Thus  maugre  all  the  light  the  gospel  gives. 
Unto  her  nat'ral  consort  fondly  cleaves. 
Though  mercy  set  the  royal  match  in  view. 
She's  loth  to  bid  her  ancient  mate  adieu. 
"When  light  of  scripture,  reason,  common  sense. 
Can  hardly  mortify  her  vain  pretence 
To  legal  righteousness;  yet  if  at  last 
Her  conscience  rous'd  begins  to  stand  aghast, 
Press'd  with  the  dread  of  hell,  she'll  rashly  patch. 
And  halve  a  bargain  with  the  proffer'd  match; 
In  hopes  his  help,  together  with  her  own, 
Will  turn  to  peaceful  smiles  the  wrathful  frown. 
Though  grace  the  rising  Sun  delightful  sings. 
With  full  salvation  in  his  golden  wings, 
And  righteousness  complete;  the  faithless  soul. 
Receiving  half  the  light,  rejects  the  whole; 
Revolves  the  sacred  page,  but  reads  purblind 
The  gospel  message  with  the  legal  mind. 
Men  dream  their  state,  ah!  too,  too  slightly  view'd. 
Needs  only  be  amended,  not  renew'd; 
Scorn  to  be  wholly  debtors  unto  grace. 
Hopeful  their  works  may  meliorate  their  case. 
They  fancy  present  prayers,  and  future  pains 
Will  for  their  former  failings  make  amends: 
To  legal  yokes  they  bow  their  servile  necks  1 

And,  lest  soul's  slips  their  false  repose  perplex,   > 
Think  Jesus'  merits  make  up  all  defects.  y 

They  patch  his  glorious  robe  with  filthy  rags, 
Ajid  burn  but  incense  to  their  proper  drags  * 

*  Habakkuk  1:   16, 


34  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PAET   I. 

Disdain  to  use  his  righteousness  alone,  "1 

But  as  an  aiding  stirr'p  to  mount  their  own;       > 

Thus  in  Christ's  room  his  rival,  self,  enthrone;  y 

And  vainly  would,  dress'd  up  in  legal  trim, 

Divide  salvation  'tween  themselves  and  him. 

But  know,  vain  man,  that  to  his  share  must  fall 

The  glory  of  the  whole,  or  none  at  all. 

In  him  all  wisdom's  hidden  treasures  lie* 

And  all  the  fulness  of  the  Deity. ^ 

This  store  alone,  immense,  and  never  spent, 

Might  poor  insolvent  debtors  well  content; 

But  to  hell-prison  justly  Heaven  will  doom 

Proud  fools  that  on  their  petty  stock  presume. 

The  softest  couch  that  gilded  nature  knows. 

Can  give  the  waken'd  conscience  no  repose. 

When  God  arraigns,  what  mortal  power  can  stand 

Beneath  the  terror  of  his  lifted  hand! 

Our  safety  lies  beyond  the  nat'ral  line, 

Beneath  the  purple  covert  all  divine. 

Yet  how  is  precious  Christ,  the  way,  despis'd, 

And  high  the  way  of  life  by  doing  priz'd! 

But  can  its  vot'ries  all  its  levy  show? 

They  prize  it  most  who  least  its  burden  know: 

Who  by  the  law  in  part  would  save  his  soui, 

Becomes  a  debtor  to  fulfil  the  whole.X 

Its  pris'ner  he  remains,  and  without  bail, 

Till  every  mite  be  paid;  and  if  he  fail, 

(As  sure  he  must,  since,  by  our  sinful  breach, 

Perfection  far  surmounts  all  mortal  reach,) 

Then  curs'd  for  ever  must  his  soul  remain: 

And  all  the  folk  of  God  must  say,  Amen.§ 

Why,  seeking  that  the  law  should  help  afford, 

In  honoring  the  law,  he  slights  its  Lord, 

Who  gave  his  law  fulfilling  righteousness 

To  be  the  naked  sinner's  perfect  dress. 

In  which  he  might  with  spotless  beauty  shine 

Before  the  face  of  majesty  divine: 

Yet,  lo!  the  sinner  works  with  mighty  pains 

A  garment  of  his  own  to  hide  his  stains; 

Ungrateful,  overlooks  the  gift  of  God, 

The  robe  wrought  by  his  hand,  dy'd  in  his  blood. 

»  Col,  2: 3.        tCoL2:9.        t  Gal.  5:3.        §Deut.  27:26. 


CHAP.  I.  THE   believer's   ESPOUSALS.  35 

In  vain  the  Son  of  God  this  web  did  weave, 
Could  our  vile  rags  sufficient  shelter  give. 
In  vain  he  ev'ry  thread  of  it  did  draw, 
Gould  sinners  be  o'ermantled  by  the  law. 
Can  men's  salvation  on  their  works  be  built, 
Whose  fairest  actions  nothing  are  but  guilt? 
Or  can  the  law  suppress  th'  avenging  flame, 
When  now  its  only  office  is  to  damn! 
Did  life  come  by  the  law  in  part  or  whole, 
Bless'd  Jesus  died  in  vain  to  save  a  soul. 
Those  then  who  life  by  legal  means  expect. 
To  them  is  Christ  become  of  no  effect;* 
Because  their  legal  mixtures  do  in  fact 
Wisdom's  grand  project  plainly  counteract. 
How  close  proud  carnal  reasonings  combine, 
To  frustrate  sov'reign  grace's  great  design! 
Man's  heart  by  nature  weds  the  law  alone, 
Nor  will  another  paramour  enthrone. 

True,  many  seem,  by  course  of  life  profane. 
No  favor  for  the  law  to  entertain: 
But  break  the  bonds,  and  cast  the  cords  away. 
That  would  their  raging  lusts  and  passions  stay. 
Yet  ev'n  this  reigning  madness  may  declare, 
How  strictly  wedded  to  the  law  they  are; 
For  now  (however  rich  they  seem'd  before)  \ 

Hopeless  to  pay  law  debt,  they  give  it  o'er,  > 

Like  desp'rate  debtors  mad, still  run  themselves  in  more,  y 
Despair  of  success  shews  their  strong  desires. 
Till  legal  hopes  are  parch'd  with  lustful  fires. 
"  Let's  give,  say  they,  our  lawless  will  free  scope, 
"  And  live  at  random,  for  there  is  no  Aope."f 
The  law,  that  can't  them  help,  they  stab  with  hate, 
Yet  scorn  to  beg,  or  court  another  mate. 
Here  lusts  most  opposite  their  hearts  divide. 
Their  beastly  passion  and  their  bankrupt  pride. 
InJ^passion  they  their  native  mate  deface, 
In  pride  disdain  to  be  oblig'd  to  grace. 
Hence  plainly  as  a  rule  'gainst  law  they  live. 
Yet  closely  to  it  as  a  cov'nant  cleave. 
Thus  legal  pride  lies  hid  beneath  the  patch, 
And  strong  aversion  to  the  gospel  match. 

»GaI.2:21,  5:2,4.  tJer.l6:l« 


36  GosPEii  sorirNETs.  part  i. 


CHAPTER  n. 

THE  MANNER  OF  A  SINNER's  DIVORCE  FROM  THE  LAVT 
IN  A  WORK  OF  HUMILIATION,  AND  OF  HIS  MARRIAGE 
TO  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,*  OR,  THE  WAY  HOW  A 
SINNER    COMES    TO    BE    A    BELIEVER. 

SscnoN  I.    Of  a  Law  Work,  and  the  workings  of  legal  pride  tin- 
der it. 

So  pioud's  the  bride,  so  backwardly  disposed; 
How  then  shall  e'er  the  happy  match  be  clos'd? 
Kind  grace  the  tumults  of  her  heart  must  quell, 
And  draw  her  heav'nward  by  the  gates  of  hell. 
The  Bridegroom's  Father  makes,  by 's  holy  Sp'rit, 
His  stern  command  with  her  stiff  conscience  meet; 
To  dash  her  pride,  and  shew  her  utmost  need, 
Pursues  for  double  debt  with  awful  dread. 
He  makes  her  former  husband's  frightful  ghost 
Appear  and  damn  her,  as  a  bankrupt  lost; 
With  curses,  threats,  and  Sinai  thunder  claps, 
Her  lofty  tow'r  of  legal  boasting  saps. 
These  humbling  storms,  in  high  or  low  degrees, 
Heav'n's  Majesty  will  measure  as  he  please; 
But  still  he  makes  the  fiery  law  at  least 
Pronounce  its  awful  sentence  in  her  breast. 
Till  through  the  law*  convict  of  being  lost, 
She  hopeless  to  the  law  gives  up  the  ghost: 
Which  now  in  rigor  comes  full  debt  to  crave 
And  in  close  prison  cast;  but  not  to  save. 
For  now  'tis  weak  and  can't  (through  our  default) 
It's  greatest  votaries  to  life  exalt. 
But  well  it  can  command  with  fire  and  flame. 
And  to  the  lowest  pit  of  ruin  damn. 
Thus  doth  it,  by  commission  from  above, 
Deal  with  the  bride,  when  Heav'n  would  court  her  love. 
Lo!  now  she  startles  at  the  Sinai  trump. 
Which  throws  her  soul  into  a  dismal  dump, 
Conscious  another  husband  she  must  have, 
Else  lie  forever  in  destruction's  grave. 

•  Galatians  2: 19. 


CHAP.  II.  THE   believer's   ESPOUSALS.  37 

While  in  conviction's  jail  she's  thus  enclos'd, 
Glad  news  is  heard,  the  royal  Mate's  propos'd, 
And  now  the  scornful  bride's  inverted  stir 
Is  racking  fear,  he  scorns  to  match  with  her. 
She  dreads  his  fury,  and  despairs  that  he 
Will  ever  wed  so  vile  a  wretch  as  she. 
And  here  the  legal  humor  stirs  again 
To  her  prodigious  loss,  and  grievous  pain: 
For  when  the  Prince  presents  himself  to  be 
Her  husband,  then  she  deems:  Ah!  is  not  he 
Too  fair  a  match  for  such  a  filthy  bride? 
Unconscious  that  the  thought  bewrays  her  pride, 
Ev'n  pride  of  merit,  pride  of  righteousness, 
Expecting  Heav'n  should  love  her  for  her  dress; 
Unmindful  how  the  fall  her  face  did  stain. 
And  made  her  but  a  black  unlovely  swain; 
Her  whole  primeval  beauty  quite  defac'd. 
And  to  the  rank  of  fiends  her  form  debas'd; 
Without  disfigur'd,  and  defil'd  within, 
Incapable  of  any  thing  but  sin. 
Heav'n  courts  not  any  for  their  comely  face. 
But  for  the  glorious  praise  of  sov'reign  grace 
Else  ne'er  had  courted  one  of  Adam's  race, 
Which  all  his  children  of  corruption  be 
Heirs  rightful  of  immortal  misery. 
Yet  here  the  bride  employs  her  foolish  wit, 
For  this  bright  match  her  ugly  form  to  fit; 
To  daub  her  features  o'er  with  legal  paint, 
That  with  a  grace  she  may  herself  present. 
Hopeful  the  Prince  with  credit  might  her  wed, 
If  once  some  comely  qualities  she  had. 
In  humble  pride,  hei  haughty  spirit  flags; 
She  cannot  think  of  coming  all  in  rags. 
Were  she  an  humble,  faithful  penitent. 
She  dreams  he'd  then  contract  with  full  content. 
Base  varlet!  think  she'd  be  a  match  for  him, 
Did  she  but  deck  herself  in  handsome  trim. 
Ah!  foolish  thoughts!  in  legal  deeps  that  plod, 
Ah !  sorry  notions  of  a  sov'reign  God ! 
Will  God  expose  his  great,  his  glorious  Son, 
For  our  vile  baggage  to  be  sold  and  won? 
4 


38  '  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  I. 

Should  sinful  modesty  the  match  decline, 
Until  its  garb  be  brisk  and  superfine; 
Alas!  when  should  we  see  the  marriage  day? 
The  hap})y  bargain  must  flee  up  for  aye. 
Presumptuous  souls  in  surly  modesty, 
Half  saviours  themselves  would  fondly  be; 
Then,  hopeful  th'  other  half  their  due  will  fally 
Disdain  to  be  in  Jesus'  debt  for  all. 
Vainly  the  first  would  wash  themselves,  and  then 
Address  the  fountain  to  be  wash'd  more  clean; 
First  heal  themselves,  and  then  expect  the  balm: 
Ah!  many  slightly  cure  their  sudden  qualm. 
They  heal  their  conscience  with  a  tear  of  pray'r; 
And  seek  no  other  Christ,  but  perish  there. 
O  sinner!  search  the  house,  and  see  the  thief  \ 

That  spoils  thy  Saviour's  crown,  thy  soul's  relief,  > 

The  hid,  but  heinous  sin  of  unbelief.  j 

Who  can  possess  a  quality  that's  good, 
Till  first  he  come  to  Jesus'  cleansing  blood? 
The  pow'r  that  draws  the  bride,  will  also  shew 
Unto  her  by  the  way  her  hellish  hue. 
As  void  of  ev'ry  virtue  to  commend. 
And  full  of  ev'ry  vice  that  will  offend. 
Till  sov'reign  grace  the  sullen  bride  shall  catch. 
She'll  never  fit  herself  for  such  a  match. 
Most  qualifi'd  they  are  in  heav'n  to  dwell, 
Who  see  themselves  most  qualifi'd  for  hell; 
And,  ere  the  bride  can  drink  salvation's  cup, 
Kind  Heav'n  must  reach  to  hell  and  lift  her  upt 
For  no  decorum  e'er  about  her  found. 
Is  she  belov'd;  but  on  a  nobler  ground- 
Jehovah's  love  is  like  his  nature  free. 
Nor  must  his  creature  challenge  his  decree;: 
But  low  at  sov'reign  grace's  footstool  creep. 
Whose  ways  are  searchless,  and  his  judgments  deep. 
Yet  Grace's  suit  meets  with  resistance  rude 
From  haughty  souls;  for  lack  of  innate  good 
To  recommend  them.     Thus  the  backward  bride 
ATionls  her  suitor  with  her  modest  pride. 
Black  hatred  for  his  oflor'd  love  repays; 
Pride  under  mask  of  modesty  displays: 
In  pnrt  would  save  herself;  hence,  saucy  soul! 
Rejects  the  matchless  Mate  would  save  in  whole. 


•CHAP.  II.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSAtS.  3© 

SscT.  It.    Conviction  of  sin  and  wrath,  carried  on  more  deeply 
and  effectually  on  the  heart. 

So  proudly  forward  is  the  bride,  and  now 
Stern  Heav'n  begins  to  stare  with  cloudier  brow; 
Law  curses  come  with  more  condemning  pow'r 
To  scorch  her  conscience  with  a  fiery  show'r. 
And  more  refulgent  flashes  darted  in; 
For  by  the  law  the  knowledge  is  of  sin.* 
Black  Sinai  thund'ring  louder  than  before, 
Does  awful  in  her  lofty  bosom  roar. 
Heav'n's  furious  storms  now  rise  from  ev'ry  airtk,'f 
In  ways  more  terrible  to  shake  the  earth,j^ 
Till  haughtiness  of  men  be  sunk  thereby. 
That  Christ  alone  may  be  exalted  high. 
Now  stable  earth  seems  from  her  centre  tost, 
And  lofty  mountains  in  the  ocean  lost. 
Hard  rocks  of  flint  and  haughty  hills  of  pride, 
Are  torn  in  pieces  by  the  roaring  tide. 
Each  flash  of  new  conviction's  lucid  rays 
Heart-errors,  undiscerned  till  now,  displays: 
Wrath's  massy  cloud  upon  the  conscience  breaks. 
And  thus  menacing  Heaven,  in  thunder  speaks; 
"  Black  wretch,  thou  madly  under  foot  hast  trod 
*'  Th'  authority  of  a  commanding  God; 
*'  Thou,  like  thy  kindred  that  in  Adam  fell,  \ 

*' Art  but  a  law-reversing  lump  of  hell,  V 

"  And  there  by  law  and  justice  doom'd  to  dwell."     j 
Now,  now,  the  daunted  bride  her  state  bewails, 
And  downward  furls  her  self-exalting  sails; 
With  pungent  fear,  and  piercing  terror' brought 
To  mortify  her  lofty  legal  thought. 
Why?  the  commandment  comes,  sin  is  reviv^d,^ 
That  lay  so  hid,  while  to  the  law  she  liv'd; 
Infinite  majesty  in  God  is  seen; 
And  infinite  malignity  in  sin; 
That  to  its  expiation  must  amount 
A  sacrifice  of  infinite  account. 
Justice  its  dire  severity  displays, 
The  law  its  vast  dimensions  open  lays. 

-•&om,3^20.    t  Wind,  or  quarter.    Usa.2:17.19.     §  Rom.  7: 9, 


40  GOSPEL   SONNET9.  TAUT  1. 

She  sees  for  this  broad  standard  nothing  meet, 

Save  an  obedience  sinless  and  complete. 

Her  cobweb  righteousness,  once  in  renown, 

Is  with  a  happy  vengeance  now  swept  down. 

She  who  of  daily  faults  could  once  but  prate, 

Sees  now  her  sinful,  miserable  state. 

Her  heart,  where  once  she  thought  some  good  to  dwell,. 

The  devil's  cab'net  filled  with  trash  of  hell. 

Her  boasted  features  now  unmasked   bare, 

Her  vaunted  hopes  are  plunged  in  deep  despair. 

Her  haunted  shelter-house  in  bypast  years 

Comes  tumbling  down  about  her  frighted  ears. 

Her  former  rotten  faith,  love,  penitence, 

She  sees  a  bowing  wall,  and  totfring  fence. 

Excellencies  of  thought,  and  word,  and  deed. 

All  swimming,  drowning  in  a  sea  of  dread; 

Her  beauty  now  deformity  she  deems. 

Her  heart  much  blacker  than  the  devil's  seems; 

"With  ready  lips  she  can  herself  declare 

The  vilest  ever  breath'd  in  vital  air. 

Her  former  hopes,  as  refuges  of  lies, 

Are  swept  away,  and  all  her  boasting  dies. 

S!!e  once  imagin'd  Heaven  would  be   unjust 

To  danm  so  many  lumps  of  human  dust, 

Form'd  by  himself;  but  now  she  owns  it  true, 

Damnation  surely  is  the  sinner's  due: 

Yea,  now  applauds  the  law's  just  doom  so  well. 

That  justly  she  condemns  herself  to  hell; 

Does  herein  divine  equity  acquit, 

Herself  adjudging  to  the  lowest  pit. 

Her  language,  "Oh!  if  God  condemn,  I  must 

"  From  bottom  of  my  soul  declare  him  just. 

"  But  if  his  great  salvation  me  embrace, 

"  How  loudly  will  I  sing  surprising  grace! 

"  If  from  the  pit  he  to  the  throne  me  raisc^ 

"  I'll  rival  angels  in  his  endless  praise. 

"  If  hell-deserving  me  to  heaven  he  bring, 

"  No  heart  so  glad,  no  tongue  so  loud  shall  sing. 

"  If  wisdom  has  not  laid  the  saving  plan, 

"  I  nothing  have  to  claim,  I  nothing  can. 

"  My  A^i'orks  but  sin,  my  merit  death  I  see; 

"Oh!  mercy,  mercy,  mercy!  pity  me." 


CHAP.  11.  THE   BELlEVER^S   ES]POtrSALS.  41 

Thus  all  self-justifying  pleas  are  dropp'd, 
Most  guilty  she  becomes,  her  mouth  is  stopp'd. 
Pungeat  lemorse  does  her  past  conduct  blame, 
And  flush  her  conscious  cheek  with  spreading  shame. 
Her  self-conceited  heart  is  self-convict, 
With  barbed  arrows  of  compunction  pricked; 
Wonders  how  justice  spares  her  vital  breath, 
How  patient  Heaven  adjourns  the  day  of  wrath; 
How  pliant  earth  does  not  with  open  jaws 
Devour  her,  Korah  like,  for  equal  cause: 
How  yawning  hell,  that  gapes  for  such  a  prey, 
Is  frustrate  with  further  hour's  delay. 
She  that  could  once  her  mighty  works  exalt, 
And  boast  devotion  fram'd  without  a  fault, 
Extol  her  nat'ral  powers,  is  now  bi ought  down, 
Her  former  madness,  not  her  powers,  to  own. 
Her  present  beggar'd  state,  most  void  of  grace, 
Unable  even  to  wail  her  woful  case, 
Quite  powerless  to  believe,  repent,  or  pray; 
Thus  pride  of  duties  flies  and  dies  away. 
She,  like  a  harden'd  wretch,  a  stupid  stone. 
Lies  in  the  dust,  and  cries,  Undone,  undone. 

Skct.  III.     The  deeply  humbled  soul  relieved  with  some  saving 
discoveries  of  Clorist  the  Redeemer. 

When  thus  the  wounded  bride  perceives  full  well 
Herself  the  vilest  sinner  out  of  hell; 
The  blackest  monster  in  the  universe; 
Pensive  if  clouds  of  wo  shall  e'er  disperse. 
When  in  her  breast  Heav'n's  wrath  so  fiercely  glows, 
'Twixt  fear  and  guilt  her  bones  have  no  repose. 
When  flowing  billows  of  amazing  dread 
Swell  to  a  deluge  o'er  her  sinking  liead; 
When  nothing  in  her  heart  is  foiind  to  dwell, 
But  horrid  atheism,  enmity  and  hell; 
When  endless  death  and  ruin  seems  at  hand, 
And  yet  she  cannot,  for  her  soul,  command 
A  sigh  to  ease  it,  or  a  gracious  thought, 
Though  heaven  could  at  this  petty  rate  be  bought; 
When  darkness  and  confusion  overcloud. 
And  unto  black  despair  temptations  crowd; 
■  4  * 


42  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAET    1. 

When  wholly  without  strength  to  move  or  stir. 
And  not  a  star  by  night  appears  to  her: 
But  she,  while  to  the  brim  her  troubles  flow, 
Stands,  trembling,  on  the  utmost  brink  of  wo. 

Ah!  weary  case!     But,  lo!  in  this  sad  plight. 
The  sun  arises  with  surprising  light. 
The  darkest  midnight  is  his  usual  time 
Of  rising,  and  appearing  in  his  prime. 
To  shew  the  hill  from  whence  salvation  springs. 
And  chase  the  gloomy  shade  with  golden  wings, 
The  glorious  husband  now  unveils  his  face, 
And  shews  his  glory  full  of  truth  and  grace:* 
Presents  unto  the  bride,  in  that  dark  hour. 
Himself  a  Saviour,  both  by  price  and  power: 
A  mighty  Helper  to  redeem  the  lost. 
Relieve  and  ransom  to  the  uttermost;f 
To  seek  the  vagrant  sheep  to  deserts  driven. 
And  save  from  lowest  hell  to  highest  heaven. 
Her  doleful  case  he  sees,  his  bowels  move. 
And  makes  her  time  of  need  his  time  of  love;1[. 
He  shews,  to  prove  himself  her  mighty  shield. 
His  name  is  Jesus,  by  his  Father  seal'di^ 
A  name  with  attributes  cngrav'd  within, 
To  save  from  ev'ry  attribute  of  sin. 
With  uiisdom  sin's  great  folly  to  expose, 
And  righteousness  its  chain  o( guilt  to  loose, 
Sanctif  cation  to  subdue  its  sway, 
Redemption,  all  its  woful  brood  to  slay.|| 
Each  golden   letter  of  his  glorious  name 
Bears  full  deliv'rance  both  from  sin  and  shame. 
Yea,  not  privation  bare  from  sin  and  wo,  1 

But  thence  all  positive  salvations  flow,  > 

To  make  her  icise,  just,  holy,  happy  too.        y 
He  now  appears  a  match  exactly  meet 
To  make  her  ev'ry  way  in  him  complete, 
In  whom  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  dwells,^ 
That  she  may  boast  in  him,  and  nothing  else. 
In  gospel  lines  she  now  perceives  the  dawn 
Of  Jesus'  love,  with  bloody  pencil  drawn; 

«  John  1:14.  t  Hebrews  7:25.  t  Ezekiel  16:6,8. 

§  Matthew  1: 21.      ||  1  Cor.  1:30.  T  Col.  2: 9,10. 


CHAP.  II.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS,  4S 

How  God  in  him  is  infinitely  pleas'd, 
And  Heav'n  avenging  fury  wholly  appeas'd: 
Law  precepts  magnifi'd  by  her  belov'd, 
And  ev'ry  let  to  stop  the  match  remov'd. 
Now  in  her  view  her  prison  gates  break  ope, 
Wide  to  the  wall  flies  up  the  door  of  hope; 
And  now  she  sees  with  pleasure  unexpress'd, 
For  shatter'd  barks  a  happy  shore  of  rest. 

Sect.  iv.  The  workingf  of  the  Spirit  of  Faith,  in  separating  the 
heart  from  all  self-righteousness,  and  drawing  out  its  consent  to 
and  desire  after  Clirist  alone  and  wholly. 

The  bride  at  Sinai  little  understood  ^ 

How  these  law  humblings  were  design'd  for  good,    > 
T'  enhance  the  value  of  her  Husband's  blood.  j 

The  tow'r  of  tott'ring  piide  thus  batter'd  down, 
Makes  way  for  Christ  alone  to  wear  the  crown. 
Conviction's  arrows  pierc'd  her  heart,  that  so 
The  blood  from  his  pierc'd  heart,  to  her's  might  flow. 
The  law's  sharp  plough  tears  up  the  fallow  ground, 
Where  not  a  grain  of  grace  was  to  be  found, 
Till  straight  perhaps  behind  the  plough  is  sown 
The  hidden  seed  of  faith,  as  yet  unknown. 
Hence  now  the  once  reluctant  bride's  inclin'd 
To  give  the  gospel  an  assenting  mind, 
Dispos'd  to  take,  would  grace  the  pow'r  impart, 
Heav'n's  offer  with  a  free  consenting  heart. 
His  Spirit  in  the  gospel  chariot  rides. 
And  shews  his  loving  heart  to  draw  the 
Though  oft  in  clouds  his  drawing  pow' 
His  love  in  gracious  offers  to  her  bears, 
In  kindly  answers  to  hei  doubts  and  fears; 
Resolving  all  objections  more  or  less 
From'former  sins,  or  present  worthlessness. 
Persuades  her  mind  of 's  conjugal  consent, 
And  then  empow'rs  her  heart  to  say.  Content. 
Content  to  be  divorced  from  the  law. 
No  more  the  yoke  of  legal  terms  to  draw; 
Content  that  he  dissolve  the  former  match. 
And  to  himself  alone  her  heart  attach; 
Content  to  join  with  Christ  at  any  rate, 
And  wed  him  as  her  everlasting  mate; 


e  bride's,        v 
/'r  he  hides.    ^ 


44  ■    ..  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART   1. 

Content  that  he  should  ever  wear  the  bays, 

And  of  her  whole  salvation  have  the  praise; 

Content  that  he  should  rise,  though  she  should  fall, 

And  to  be  nothing',  that  he  may  be  all; 

Content  that  he,  because  she  nought  could  do: 

Do  for  her  all  her  work,  and  in  her  too. 

Here  she  a  peremptory  mind  displays, 

That  he  do  all  the  work,  get  all  the  praise. 

And  now  she  is,  which  ne'er  till  now  took  place, 

Content  entirely  to  be  sav'd  by  grace. 

She  owns  that  her  damnation  just  would  be, 

And  therefore  her  salvation  must  be  free: 

That  nothing  being  her's  but  sin  and  thrall. 

She  must  be  debtor  unto  grace  for  all. 

Hence  comes  she  to  him  in  her  naked  case. 
To  be  invested  with  his  righteousness. 
She  comes,  -as  guilty,  to  a  pardon  free; 
As  vile  AwA  filthy,  to  a  cleansing  sea: 
As  poor  and  empty,  to  the  richest  stock; 
As  weak  and  feeble,  to  the  strongest  rock: 
As  perishing,  unto  a  shield  from  thrall; 
As  worse  than  nothing,  to  an  all  in  all. 
She  as  a  blinded  mole,  an  ign'rant  fool. 
Comes  for  instruction  to  the  Prophefs  school. 
She,  with  a  hell  deserving  conscious  breast, 
Flies  for  atonement  to  the  worthy  Prie^^jk 
She  as  a  slave  to  sin  and  Satan,  wings 
Her  flight  for  help  unto  the  King  of  kings. 
She  all  her  maladies  and  plagues  brings  forth 
To  this  Physician  of  eternal  worth. 
She  spreads  before  his  throne  her  filthy  sore; 
And  lays  her  broken  bones  down  at  his  door. 
No  mite  she  has  to  buy  a  crumb  of  bliss. 
And  therefore  comes  impov'rish'd  as  she  is.  * 

By  sin  and  Satan,  of  all  good  bereft. 
Comes  e'en  as  bare  as  they  her  soul  have  left. 
To  sense,  as  free  of  holiness  within. 
As  Christ,  the  spotless  Lamb,  was  free  of  sin. 
She  comes  by  faith,  true;  but  it  shews  her  want, 
And  brings  her  as  a  sinner,  not  a  saint; 
A  wretched  sinner,  flying  for  her  good 
To  justifying,  sanctifying  blood. 


CUAP.  II.  •THE   believer's   ESPOUSALS.  45 

Strong  faith  no  strength,  nor  pow'r  of  acting,  vaunts, 
But  acts  in  sense  of  weakness  and  of  wants. 
Drain'd  now  of  ev'ry  thing  that  men  may  call    ^ 
Terms  and  conditions  of  relief  from  thrall;        > 
Except  this  one,  that  Jesus  be  her  all.  ) 

When  to  the  bride  he  gives  espousing  faith, 
It  finds  her  under  sin,  and  guilt,  and  wrath, 
And  makes  her  as  a  plagued  wretch  to  fall 
At  Jesus'  footstool  for  the  cure  of  all. 
Her  whole  salvation  now  in  him  she  seeks. 
And  musing  thus  perhaps  in  secret  speaks: 

"  Lo!  all  my  burdens  may  in  him  be  eas'd; 
"  The  justice  I  offended  he  has  pleas'd; 
"  The  bliss  that  I  have  forfeit  he  procur'd; 
"  The  curse  that  I  deserved  be  endur'd; 
"  The  law  that  I  have  broken  he  obey'd; 
"  The  debt  that  I  contracted  he  has  paid: 
"  And  though  a  match  unfit  for  him  I  be, 
"  I  find  him  ev'ry  way  most  fit  for  me. 

"  Sweet  Lord,  I  think,  would  thou  thyself  impart, 
"  I'd  welcome  thee  with  open  hand  and  heart. 
♦'•But  thou  that  sav'st  by  price,  must  save  by  pow'r; 
"  O  send  thy  Spirit  in  a  fiery  show'r, 
"  This  cold  ahd  frozen  heart  of  mine  to  thaw, 
"  That  nought,  save  cords  of  burning  love,  can  draw. 
"O  draw  me.  Lord,  then  will  I  run  to* thee, 
"  And  glad  into  TTiy  glowing  bosom  flee. 
"  [  own  myself  a  mass  of  sin  and  hell, 
"  A  biat  that  can  do  nothing  but  rebel: 
"  But  didst  thou  not,  as  sacred  pages  shew,* 
"  When  rising  up  to  spoil  the  hellish  crew, 
"  That  had  by  thousands,  sinners  captive  made, 
"And  hadst  in  conqu'ring  chains  them  captive  led, 
"  Get  donatives,  not  for  thy   proper  gain, 
"  But  royal  bounties  for  rebellious  men, 
"  Gifts,  graces,  and  the  Spirit  without  bounds, 
"  For  God's  new  house  with  man  on  former  grounds? 
"  O  then  let  me  a  rebel  now  come  speed, 
*'  Thy  holy  Spirit  is  the  gift  I  need. 
"  His  precious  graces  too,  the  glorious  grant, 
•'  Thou  kindly  promis'd,  and  I  greatly  want. 

*  Psalm  18: 18. 


46  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   I. 

"  Thou  art  exalted  to  the  highest  place, 

"  To  give  repentance  forth,  and  ev'ry  grace* 

''  O  giver  of  spiritual  life  and  breath, 

"  The  author  and  the  finisher  of  faith;f 

"  Thou  husband-like  must  ev'ry  thing  provide, 

"  If  e'er  the  like  of  me  become  thy  bride." 

Section  v.  Faith's  view  of  the  freedom  of  Grace,  cordial  rennn- 
ciation  of  all  its  own  ragged  rigliteousness,  and  formal  accept- 
ance of  and  closing  with  the  person  of  glorious  Christ. 

The  bride  with  open  eyes,  that  once  were  dim, 
Sees  now  her  whole  salvation  lies  in  him; 
The  Prince,  who  is  not  in  dispensing  nice, 
But  freely  gives  without  her  pains  or  price. 
This  magnifies  the  wonder  in  her  eye, 
Who  not  a  farthing  has  wherewith  to  buy; 
For  now  her  humbled  mind  can  disavow 
Her  boasted  beauty  and  assuming  brow; 
With  conscious  eye  discern  her  emptiness, 
With  candid  lips  her  poverty  confess. 
"  O  glory  to  the  Lord,  that  grace  is  free, 
"  Else  never  would  it  light  on  guilty  me. 
*'  I  nothing  have  with  me  to  be  its  price, 
"  But  hellish  blackness,  enmity,  and  vice." 
In  former  times  she  durst  presuming  come 
To  grace's  market  with  a  petty  sum 
Of  duties,  prayers,  tears,  a  boasted  set, 
Expecting  Heav'n  would  thus  be  in  her  debt. 
These  were  the  price;  at  least  she  did  suppose 
She'd  be  the  welcomer  because  of  those: 
But  now  she  sees  the  vileness  of  her  vogue. 
The  dung  that  close  doth  ev'ry  duty  clog; 
The  sin  that  doth  her  holiness  reprove. 
The  enmity  that  close  attends  her  love; 
The  great  heart  hardness  of  her  penitence, 
The  stupid  dulness  of  her  vaunted  sense; 
The  unbelief  of  former  blazed  faith, 
The  utter  nothingness  of  all  she  hath. 
The  blackness  of  her  beauty  she  can  see. 
The  pompous  pride  of  strain'd  humility, 

•Acts  5:31.  t  Hebrews  i2:2. 


CHAP.  II.  THE   believer's    ESPOUSALS.  47 

The  naughtiness  of  all  her  tears  and  pray'rs, 

And  now  renounces  all  as  worthless  wares; 

And  findi':j  nothing  to  commend  herself, 

But  what  might  damn  her,  her  embezzled  pelf: 

At  sov'reign  Grace's  feet  doth  prostrate  fall, 

Content  to  be  in  Jesus'  debt  for  all. 

Her  noised  virtues  vanish  out  of  sight, 

As  starry  tapers  at  meridian  light; 

While  sweetly,  humbly,  she  beholds  at  length 

Christ  as  her  only  righteousness  and  strength. 

He  with  the  view  throws  down  his  loving  dart, 

Imprest  with  power  into  her  tender  heart. 

The  deeper  that  the  law's  fierce  dart  was  thrown, 

The  deeper  now  the  dart  of  love  goes  down: 

Hence,  sweetly  pain'd,  her  cries  to  heav'n  do  flee; 

"  O  none  but  Jesus,  none  but  Christ  for  me: 

"  O  glorious  Christ,  O  beauty,  beauty  rare, 

"  Ten  thousand,  thousand  heav'ns  are  not  so  fair. 

"  In  him  at  once  all  beauties  meet  and  shine, 

"  The  white  and  ruddy,  human  and  divine. 

*'  As  in  his  low,  he's  in  his  high  abode, 

*'  The  brightest  image  of  the  unseen  God.* 

"  How  justly  do  the  harpers  sing  above; 

"  His  doing,  dying,  rising,  reigning  love! 

•'  How  justly  does  he,  when  his  work  is  done, 

"  Possess  the  centre  of  his  Father's  throne? 

*♦  How  justly  do,  his  awful  throne  before, 

**  Seraphic  armies,  prostrate,  him  adore; 

"  That's  both  by  nature  and  donation  crown'd, 

**  With  all  the  grandeur  of  the  Godhead  round? 

"  But  wilt  thou.  Lord,  in  very  deed  come  dwell 
"  With  me,  that  was  a  burning  brand  of  hell? 
"  With  me,  so  justly  reckon'd  worse  and  less 
"  Than  insect,  mite,  or  atom  can  express? 
"  Wilt  thou  debase  thy  high  imperial  form, 
"  To  match  with  such  a  mortal,  crawling  worm? 
"  Yea,  sure  thine  errand  to  our  earthly  coast, 
"  Was  in  deep  love  to  seek  and  save  the  lost;\ 
"  And  since  thou  deign'st  the  like  of  me  to  wed, 
/*  O  come  and  make  my  heart  thy  marriage  bed. 
"  Fair  Jesus,  wilt  thou  marry  filthy  me? 
'*  Amen,  amen,  amen;  so  let  it  be. 

•  Hebrews  1:3.  t  Luke  19:10. 


48  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  1. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  FRUITS  OF  THE  BELIEVEE's  MARRIAGE  WITH  CHRIST, 
PARTICULARLY  GOSPEL  HOLINESS,  AND  OBEDIENCE  TO 
THE    LAW    AS    A    RULE. 

Section  i.    The  sweet  solemnity  of  the  marriage  now  over,  and 
the  sad  effects  of  the  remains  of  a  legal  spirit 

The  match  is  made,  with  little  din  'tis  done, 
But  with  great  power,  unequal  prizes  won. 
The  Lamb  has  fairly  won  his  worthless  bride; 
She  her  great  Lord,  and  all  his  store  beside. 
He  made  the  poorest  bargain,  tho'  most  wise; 
And  she,  the  fool,  has  won  the  worthy  prize. 

Deep  floods  of  everlasting  love  and  grace, 
That  under  ground  ran  an  eternal  space, 
Now  rise  aloft  'bove  banks  of  sin  and  hell, 
And  o'er  the  tops  of  massy  mountains  swell. 
In  streams  of  blood  are  towers  of  guilt  o'erflown, 
Down  with  the  rapid  purple  current  thrown. 

The  bride  now  as  her  all  can  Jesus  own, 
And  prostrate  at  his  footstool  cast  her  crown. 
Disclaiming  all  her  forrner  groundless  hope, 
While  in  the  dark  her  soul  did  weary  grope. 
Down  tumble  all  the  hills  of  self-conceit. 
In  him  alone  she  sees  herself  complete; 
Does  his  fair  person  with  fond  arms  embrace, 
And  all  her  hopes  on  his  full  merit  place; 
Discard  her  former  mate,  and  henceforth  draw 
No  hope,  no  expectation  from  the  law. 

Though  thus  her  new  created  nature  soars, 
And  lives  aloft  on  Jesus'  heavenly  stores; 
Yet  apt  to  stray,  her  old  adult'rous  heart 
Oft  takes  her  old  renounced  husband's  pait: 
A  legal  cov'nant  is  so  deep  ingrain'd, 
Upon  the  human  nature,  laps'd  and  strain'd, 
That,  till  her  spirit  mount  the  purest  clime, 
She's  never  totally  divorc'd  in  time. 
Hid  in  her  corrupt  part's  proud  bosom  lurks 
Some  hope  of  life  still  by  the  law  of  works. 


CHAP.  III.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS.  49 

Hence  flow  the  following  evils  more  or  less;  i 

Preferring  oft  her  partial  holy  dress,  > 

Before  her  Husband's  perfect  righteousness.  ) 

Hence  joying  more  in  giace  already  given 
Than  in  her  head  and  stock  that's  all  in  heaven. 
Hence  grieving  more  the  want  of  frames  and  grace, 
Than  of  himself  the  spring  of  all  solace. 

Hence  guilt  her  soul  iiiiprisons,  lusts  prevail,  ^ 

While  to  the  law  her  rents  insolvent  fail,  > 

And  yet  her  faithless  heart  rejects  her  husband's  bail.  ) 

Hence  foul  disorders  rise,  and  racking  fears, 
While  doubtful  of  his  clearing  past  arrears; 
Vain  dreaming,  since  her  own  obedience  fails, 
His  likewise  little  for  her  help  avails.  / 

Hence  duties  are  a  task,  while  all  in  view  / 

Is  heavy  yokes  of  laws,  or  old  or  new:  / 

Whereas,  were  once  her  legal  bias  broke,  / 

She'd  find  her  Lord's  commands  an  easy  yoke.^  / 
No  galling  precepts  on  her  neck  he  lays,  / 

Nor  any  debt  demands,  save  what  he  pays 
By  promis'd  aid;  but,  lo!  the  grievous  law. 
Demanding  brick,  won't  aid  her  with  a  stvaw. 

Hence,  also,  fretful,  grudging,  discontent,  \ 

Crav'd  by  the  law,  finding  her  treasure  spent,  > 

And  doubting  if  her  Lord  will  pay  th^  rent.  y 

Hence  pride  of  duties  too  does  oftei>  swell, 
Presuming  she  pcrform'd  so  very  \yell. 

Hence  i)ride  of  graces  and  inhr/rent  worth 
Springs  from  her  corrupt  legal/  bias  forth; 
And  boasting  more  a  present  Kith'ring  frame, 
Than  her  exalted  Lord's  unfading  name. 

Hence  many  falls  and  plunges  in  the  mire, 
As  many  new  conversions  do  require: 
Because  her  faithless  heart  sad  follies  breed, 
Much  lewd  departure  from  her  living  Head, 
Who,  to  reprove  her  a'/gravated  crimes. 
Leaves  her  abanJorl'^J  lo'herself  at  times; 
That,  falling  into  frightful  deeps,  she  may 
From  sad  experier).cc  Iparn  more  stress  to  lay. 
Not  on  her  native  eflbrfs,  but  at  length 
On  Christ  alone,  her  rigiiteousness  and  strength: 
Conscious,  white  in  her  works  she  seeks  repose, 
Her  legal  spirit  breeds  her  many  woes. 
5 


50        '  GggPEL  SONNETS.  PART    I, 

3eot.  If.  Faith's  victoi'ies  over  sin^and  Satan,  through  new  and- 
ikrther  discoveries  of  Christ,  making  believers  more  fruitful  in 
holiness  than  alJ  otlier  pretenders  to  works, 

TrtB  gospel  path  leads  heavenward;  hence  the  fray, 
HelTs  powers  still   push  the  bride  the  legal  way. 
So  hot  the  war,  her  life's  a  troubled  flood, 
A  field  of  battle,  and  a  scene  of  blood. 
But  he  that  once  comraenc'd  the  work  in  her, 
Whose  working  fingers  drop  the  sweetest  myrrh, 
Will  stil!  advance  it  by  alluring  force, 
And,  from  her  ancient  mate,  more  clean  divorcer 
SJince  'tis  her  antiquated  spouse  the  law, 
The  strength  of  sin  and  hell  did  on  her  draw^ 
Ptece-meal  she  finds  hell's  mighty  force  abater 
By  ne-w  recruits  from  her  almighty  Mate. 
Fres!;  armor  sent  from  Grace's  magazine, 
MakotJ  her  proclaim  eternal  war  with  sin. 
The  .ihivld  of  faith,  dipt  in  the  Surety's  blood,^ 
Drowns  l\ry  darts,  as  in  a  crimson  flood. 
The  CTap  a\ji's  ruddy  banner,  lifted  high^ 
Makes  hell  retire,  and  all  the  furies  fly. 
Yea,  of  his  glory  every  recent  glance 
Makes  sin  dec;>y,  and  holiness  advance. 
In  kindncas  therefore  does  her  heav'nly  Lord 
R-enew'd  discov'ri^s  of  his  love  afford. 
That  her  enamor'd  "ioul  may,  with  the  view,, 
Be  cast  into  his  holy  mould  anewi 
For  when  he  manifesto  his  glorious  grace. 
The  charming  favor  of  his  smiling  face, 
into  his  image  fair  transforms  her  soul,* 
And  wafts  her  upwards  to  Jhe  heav'nly  pole^- 
From  glory  unto  glory  by  degrees, 
Till  vision  and  fruition  shall  "iufiice, 
AiKi  thus  in  holy  beauty  Jesus'  bride 
Shkiies  far  beyond  the  painted  sons  of  pride,. 
Vaiij  mi  lit  vouchers,  and  their  subtle  apes, 
In  ;»ll  their  most  refin'd,  delusive  shapes. 
No  i.Awfi.il  child  is  ere  the  marriage  \)orn; 
Thoi)f>h  therefore  virtues  feign'd  their  life  adorrv. 
The  fnii'  they  bear  is  but  a  spurious  brood, 
Before  this  happy  maniag-e  be  made  good- 

"  Ccr.  3;18.       • 


CHAP.  III.  THE  believer's    ESPOITSALS.  51 

And  'tis  not  strange;  (or,  from  a  corrupt  tree 

No  fruit  divlneltf  good  produced  can  he* 

But,  lo!  the  bride,  graft  in  the  living  Root, 

Brings  forth  most  precious  aromatic  fruit. 

When  her  new  heart  and  her  new  Husband  meet, 

Her  fruitful  womb  is  like  a  heap  of  wheat, 

Beset  with  fragrant  lilies  round  about,f  i 

All  divine  graces  in  a  comely  rout,  > 

Burning  within,  and  shining  bright  without.  j 

And  thus  the  bride,  as  sacred  scripture  saith, 

When  dead  unto  the  law  through  Jesus'  death,:f 

And  match'd  with  him,  bears  to  her  God  and  Lord 

Accepted  fruit,  with  incense  pure  decor'd. 

Freed  from  law  debt,  and  bless'd  with  gospel  ease.. 

Her  work  is  now  her  dearest  Lord  to  please, 

By  living  on  him  as  her  ample  stock. 

And  leaning  to  him  as  her  potent  rock. 

The  fruit,  that  each  law  wedded  mortal  brings 

To  self  accresces,  as  from  self  it  springs. 

So  base  a  rise  must  have  a  base  recourse, 

The  stream  can  mount  no  higher  than  its  source. 

But  Jesus  can  his  bride's  sweet  fruit  commend. 

As  brought  from  him  the  loot,  to  him  the  end. 

She  does  by  such  an  oflTspring  him  avow 

To  be  her  Alpha  and  Omega  too. 

The  work  and  warfare  be  begins,  he  crowns, 

Though  maugre  various  conflicts,  ups  and  downs. 

Thus  through  the  darksome  vale  she  makes  her  way, 

Until  the  morning  dawn  of  glory's  day. 

Sect.  hi.     True  saving  faith  magnifying  the  law  both  as  a  eovcn- 
ant  and  as  a  rule.     False  faith  unfruitful  and  ruining. 

Proud  nature  may  reject  this  gospel  theme, 
And  curse  it  as  an  Antinomian  scheme. 
Let  slander  bark,  let  envy  grin  and  fight. 
The  curse  that  is  so  causeless  shall  not  light,§ 
If  they  that  fain  would  make  by  holy  force 
'Twixt  sinners  and  the  law  a  clean  divorce, 
And  court  the  Lamb  a  virgin  chaste  to  wife, 
Be  charg'd  as  foes  to  holiness  of  life, 

«  Matth.  7:17,18.     t  Cant.  7:2.     t  Rom.  7:4.     §  Prov.  26:2, 


52  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAST  T. 

Well  may  they  giadly  suffer  on  this  score, 

Apostles  great  were  so  malign'd  before. 

Do  we  make  void  the  law  through  faith?*     Nay,  why^ 

We  do  it  more  fulfil  and  magnify 

Than  fiery  seraphs  can  with  holiest  flash; 

Avaunt,  vain  legalists,  unworthy  trash. 

When  as  a  cov''nant  stern  the  law  commands. 
Faith  puts  her  Lamb's  obedience  in  its  hands; 
And  when  its  threats  gush  out  a  fiery  flood, 
Faith  stops  the  current  with  her  victim's  blood. 
The  law  can  crave  no  more,  yet  craves  no  less. 
Than  active,  passive,  perfect  righteousness. 
Yet  here  is  all,  yea,  more  than  its  demand, 
All  rendered  to  it  by  a  divine  hand. 
Mankind  is  bound  law  service  still  to  pay. 
Yea,  angel  kind  is  also  bound  t'  obey. 
r  may  by  human  and  angelic  blaze 
Have  honor;  but  in  finite  partial  ways. 
These  natures  have  its  lustre  once  defac'd, 
'Twill  be  by  part  of  both  for  aye  disgrac'd, 
Yet,  had  they  all  obsequious  stood  and  true, 
They'd  giv'n  the  law  no  more  than  homage  due» 
Vai  faith  gives  't  honor  yet  more  great,  more  odd. 
The  higiJ,  the  humble  service  of  its  God. 

Again,  to  view  the  holy  law's  command, 
As  lodged  in  a  Mediator's  hand; 
Faith  gives  it  honor,  as  a  rule  of  life. 
And  makes  the  bride  the  Lamb's  obedient  wife. 
Due  homage  to  the  law  those  never  did. 
To  whom  th'  obedience  pure  of  faith  is  hid, 
Faith  works  by  love,'\  and  purifes  the  hearj.,% 
And  truth  advances  in  the  inward  part; 
On  carnal  hearts  impresses  divine  stamps, 
And  sully'd  lives  inverts  to  shining  lamps. 
From  Abram's  seed  that  are  most  strong  in  faith. 
The  law  most  honor,  God  most  glory  huth. 
But  due  respect  to  neither  can  be  found,      ^ 
Where  unbelief  ne'er  got  a  mortal  wound,    > 
To  still  the  virtue  vaunter's  empty  sound.    } 
Good  works  he  boasts,  a  path  he  never  Irode 

*  Rom.  3:  21.  t  Eph.  2: 10.  X  GaL  5:  9. 


CHAP.  III.  THE   believer's   ESPOlfSALS.  53 

Who  is  not  yet  the  worhmanship  of  God,* 

In  Jesus  thereunto  created  new;  ^ 

Nois'd  works  that  spring  not  hence  are  but  a  shew, 

True  faith  that's  of  a  noble,  divine  race, 

Is  still  a  holy  sanctifying  grace: 

And  greater  honor  to  the  law  does  share, 

Than  boasters  all  that  breathe  the  vital  air. 

Ev'n  heathen  morals  vastly  may  outshine 

The  works  that  flow  not  from  a  faith  divine. 

Pretensions  high  to  fnith  a  number  have,    »* 
But,  ah!  it  is  a  faith  that  cannot  save: 
We  trust,  say  they,  in  Christ,  we  hope  in  God: 
Nor  blush  to  blaze  their  rotten  faith  abroad. 
Nor  try  the  trust  of  whicii  they  make  a  shew, 
If  of  a  saving  or  a  damning  hue. 
They  own  their  sins  are  ill;  true,  but  'tis  sad 
They  never  thought  their  faith  and  hope  were  bad^ 
How  evident's  their  home-bred  riat'ral  blaze, 
Who  dream  they  have  believ'd  well  all  their  days^ 
Yet  never  felt  their  unbelief,  nor  knew 
Their  need  of  pow'r  their  nature  to  renew. 
Blind  souls,  who  boast  of  faith,  yet  live  in  sin, 
May  hence  conclude  their  faith  is  to  begin. 
Or  know  they  shall,  by  such  an  airy  faith. 
Believe  themselves  to  everlasting  wtath. 
Faith,  that  nor  leads  to  good,  nor  keeps  from  ill,  ** 
Will  never  lead  to  heaven,  nor  keep  from  hcil.   *  * 
The  body  without  breath  is  dead;"("  no  less 
Is  faith  without  works  of  holiness.:}:  *• 

How  rare  is  saving  faith,  when  earth  is  crarnin'd  «• 
With  such  as  will  believe,  and  yet  be  danin'd;  •  • 
Believe  the  gospel,  yet  with  dread  and  awe  »  * 

Have  never  truly  first  believ'd  the  law.  •  * 

That  matters  shall  be  well,  they  hope  too  soon   '  * 
Who  never  yet  have  seen  they  were  undone. 
Can  of  salvation  their  belief  be  true, 
Who  never  yet  believ'd  damnation  duo? 
Can  these  of  endless  life  have  solid  faith 
Who  never  fear'd  law  threats  of  endless  death? 
Nay,  sail'd  t!iey  ha'a't  yet  to  the  healing  shore, 
Who  never  felt  their  sinful, nvoful  sore. 

*  Eph.  3:9.        f  James  2: 26.         I  James  2:17.10. 
5* 


54  GOSPEL  SOIfWETS.  TAXT  I. 

Imaginary  faith  is  but  a  blind 
Which  bears  no  fruit  but  of  a  deadly  kind: 
Nor  can  from  such  a  wild  unwholesome  root 
The  least  production  rise  of  living  fruit. 
But  saving  faith  can  such  an  offspring  breed, 
Her  native  product  is  a  holy  seed. 
The  fairest  issues  of  the  vital  breath 
Spring  from  the  fertile  womb  of  heav'n-born  faith; 
Yet  boasts  she  nothing  of  her  own,  but  brings 
Auxiliaties  from  the  King  of  kings. 
Who  graves  his  royal  law  in  rocky  hearts, 
And  gracious  aid  in  soft'ning  showers  impartsj 
This  gives  prolific  virtue  to  the  faith  | 

Inspir'd  at  first  by  his  almighty  breath,  \ 

Hence,  fetching  all  her  succors  from  abroad,  s 

She  still  employs  this  mighty  pow'r  of  God.  / 

Drain'd  clean  of  native  pow'rs  and  legal  aims^ 
No  strength  but  in  and  from  Jehovah  claims; 
And  thus  her  service  to  the  law  o'ertops 
The  tow'ring  zeal  of  Pharisaic  fops. 

Sect.  iv.  The  believer  only  being  married  to  Christ,  is  justiiiecl 
and  sanctified :  and  the  more  gospel  freedom  from  the  law  as  a 
covenant,  the  more  holy  conformity  to  it  as  a  rule. 

Thtts  doth  the  Husband  by  his  Father's  will 
Both  for  and  in  his  bride  the  law  fulfil: 
For  her,  as  'tis  a  covenant;  and  then 
In  her,  as  'tis  a  rule  of  life  to  men. 
First,  all  law  debts  he  most  completely  pays, 
Then  of  law  duties  all  the  charge  defrays. 
Does  first  assume  her  guilt,  and  loose  her  chains. 
And  then  with  living  water  wash  her  stains; 
Her  fund  restore,  and  then  her  form  repair, 
And  make  his  filthy  bride  a  beauty  fair; 
His  perfect  righteousness  most  freely  grant, 
And  then  his  holy  image  deep  implant; 
Into  her  heart  his  precious  seed  indrop. 
Which,  in  his  time,  will  yield  a  glorious  crop. 
But  by  alternate  turns  his  plants  he  brings 
Through  robbing  winters,  and  repairing  springs. 
Hence,  pining  oft,  they  suffer'd  s^d  decays, 
By  dint  of  shady  nights  and  stormy  days. 


CRAP.  HI.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS.  W 

But  blest  with  sap,  and  influence  from  above, 
They  live  and  grow  anew  in  faith  and  lovej 
Until  transplanted  to  the  higher  soil, 
While  furies  tread  no  more,  nor  foxes  spoil. 
Where  Christ  the  living  root  remains  on  high, 
The  noble  plant  of  grace  can  never  die; 
Nature  decays,  and  so  will  all  the  fruit 
That  merely  rises  on  a  mortal  root. 
Their  works,  however  splendid,  are  but  dead, 
That  from  a  living  fountain  don't  proceed; 
Their  fairest  fruit  is  but  a  garnish'd  shrine, 
That  are  not  grafted  in  the  glorious  Vine. 
Dovoutcst  hypocrites  are  rank'd  in  rolls 
Of  painted  puppets,  not  of  living  souls. 

No  offspring  but  of  Christ's  fair  bride  is  good. 
This  happy  marriage  has  a  holy  brood. 
Let  sinners  learn  this  mystery  to  read, 
We  bear  to  glorious  Christ  no  precious  seed. 
Till  through  the  law,  we  to  the  law  be  dead.* 
No  true  obedience  to  the  law,  but  forc'd, 
Can  any  yield,  till  from  the  law  divorc'd. 
Nor  to  it,  as  a  rule,  is  homage  giv'n. 
Till  from  it,  as  a  covenant,  men  be  driv'n. 
Yea,  more,  till  once  they  this  divorce  attain. 
Divorce  from  sin  they  but  attempt  in  vain; 
The  cursed  yoke  of  sin  they  basely  draw, 
Till  once  unyoked  from  the  cursing  law. 
Sin's  full  dominion  keeps  its  native  place, 
While  men  are  under  laiv,  not  under  grace.'f 
For  mighty  hills  of  enmity  won't  move, 
Till  touch'd  by  conqu'ring  grace  and  mighty  love. 

Were  but  the  gospel  secret  understood; 
How  God  can  pardon  where  he  sees  no  good; 
How  grace  and  mercy  free,  that  can't  be  bought. 
Reign  through  a  righteousness  already  wrought: 
Where  woful  reigning  unbelief  depos'd, 
Mysterious  grace  to  blinded  minds  disclos'd: 
Did  Heav'n  with  gospel  news  its  pow'r  convey. 
And  sinners  hear  a  faithful  God  but  say: 
"  No  more  law  debt  remains  for  you  to  pay; 

*  Galatians  2:19.  +  Romans  6:14. 


56  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   I. 

"  Lo,  by  the  loving  Surety  all's  discharg'd," 

Their  hearts  behoov'd  with  love  to  be  enlarg'd: 

Love,  the  succinct  fu  If  Hing  of  the  law* 

Were  then  the  easy  yoke  they'd  sweetly  draw; 

Love  would  constrain  and  to  his  service  move, 

Who  left  them  nothing  else  to  do  but  love. 

Slight  now  his  loving  precepts  if  they  can; 

No,  no;  his  conqu'ring  kindness  leads  the  van. 

When  everlasting  lo.ye  exerts  the  sway, 

They  judge  themselves  more  kindly  bound  t'  obey, 

Bound  by  redeeming  love  in  stricter  sense 

Than  ever  Adam  was  in  innocence. 

Why  now  they  are  not  bound,  as  formerly, 

To  do  and  live,  nor  yet  to  do  or  die; 

Both  life  and  death  are  put  in  Jesus'  hands. 

Who  urges  neither  in  his  kind  commands, 

Not  servile  work  their  life  and  heav'n  to  win, 

Nor  slavish  labor  death  and  hell  to  shun. 

Their  aims  are  purer  since  they  understood,        [blood. 

Their  heav'n  was  bought,  their  hell  was  quench'd  with 

The  oars  of  gospel  service  now  they  steer, 

Without  or  legal  hope  or  slavish  fear. 

The  bride  in  sweet  security  can  dwell, 
Nor  bound  to  purchase  heav'n  nor  vanquish  hell; 
But  bound  for  him  the  race  of  love  to  run. 
Whose  love  to  her  left  none  of  these  undone; 
She's  bound  to  be  the  Lamb's  obedient  wife. 
And  in  his  strength  to  serve  him  during  life; 
To  glorify  his  loving  name  for  aye, 
Who  left  her  not  a  single  mite  to  pay 
Of  legal  debt,  but  wrote  for  her  at  large, 
In  characters  of  blood,  a  full  discharge. 
Henceforth  no  servile  task  her  labors  prove, 
But  grateful  fruits  of  reverential  love. 

Section  v.     Gospel  grace  giving  no  liberty  nor  freedom  to  sin,  but 
lo  liolj'  service  and  pure  obedience. 

The  glorious  Husband's  love  can't  lead  the  wife 
To  whoredom  or  licentiousness  of  life; 
Nay,  nay:  she  finds  his  warmest  love  within 
The  hottest  fac  to  melt  her  heart  for  sin. 
*  Horaans  13:  10. 


CHAP.  III.  THE   believer's   ESPOUSALS.  57 

His  kind  embrace  is  still  the  strongest  cord 

To  bind  her  to  the  service  of  her  Lord. 

The  more  her  faith  insures  this  love  of  his, 

The  more  his  law  her  delectation  is. 

Some  dream,  they  might,  who  his  assurance  win, 

Take  latitude  and  liberty  to  sin. 

Ah!  such  bewray  their  ignorance,  and  prove  i 

They  want  the  lively  sense  of  drawing  love;  > 

And  how  its  sweet  constraining  force  can  move,  j 

The  ark  of  giace  came  never  in  to  dwell, 

But  Dagon-lusts  before  it  headlong  fell. 

Men  basely  can  unto  lasciviousness 

Abuse  the  doctrine,  not  the  work  of  grace. 

Huggers  of  divine  love  in  vice's  path, 

Have  but  the  fancy  of  it,  not  the  faith. 

They  never  soar'd  aloft  on  grace's  wing, 

That  knew  not  grace  to  be  a  holy  thing; 

When  pregnant  she  the  powers  of  hell  appals. 

And  sin's  dominion  in  the  rnin  falls. 

Curs'd  is  the  crew  whose  antinomian  dress 

Makes  grace  a  cover  to  their  idleness. 

The  bride  of  Christ  will  sure  be  very  loth 

To  make  his  love  a  pillow  for  her  sloth. 

Why,  mayn't  she  sin  the  more  that  grace  abounds? 

Oh,  God  forbid!  the  very  thought  confounds. 

When  dead  unto  the  law,  she's  dead  to  sin; 

How  can  she  any  longer  live  therein?* 

To  neither  of  them  is  she  now  a  slave, 

But  shares  the  com|uest  of  the  great,  the  brave. 

The  mighty  General,  her  victorious  Head, 

Wlio  broke  the  double  chain  to  free  the  bride. 

Hence,  prompted  now  with  gratitude  and  love, 

Her  cheerful  feet  in  swift  obedience  move. 

More  strong  the  cords  of  love  to  duty  draw, 

Than  hell,  and  all  the  curses  of  the  law. 

When  with  seraphic  love  the  breast's  inspir'd, 

By  that  are  all  the  other  giaces  fir'd; 

These  kindling  round,  the  burning  heart  and  frame. 

In  life  and  walk  send  forth  a  holy  llame. 

*  Romans  6:1,2. 


58  eoSPEL    60]VNETS.  PAST  k 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  CAUTION  TO  At,L  AGAINST  A  LEGAL  SPIRIT;  ESPECIALLY 
TO  THOSE  THAT  HAVE  A  PROFESSION  WITHOUT  POWEH, 
AND  LEARNING  WITHOUT  GRACE. 

Why,  says  the  haughty  heart  of  legalists, 
Bound  to  the  law  of  works  by  nat'ral  twists, 
"  Why  such  ado  about  a  law-divorce? 
"  Men's  lives  are  bad,  and  would  you  have  them  worse! 
"  Such  antinomian  stuff,  with  labor'd  toil, 
"  Would  human  beauty's  native  lustre  spoil. 
"  What  wickedness  beneath  the  covering  lurks, 
"That  lewdly  would  divorce  us  all  from  works? 
"  Why  such  a  stir  about  the  law  and  grace? 
"  We  know  that  merit  cannot  now  take  place. 
"  And  what  needs  more?"  Well,  to  let  slander  drop, 
Be  merit  for  a  little  here  the  scope. 

Ah!  many  learn  to  lisp  in  gospel  terms. 
Who  yet  embrace  the  law  with  legal  arms. 
By  wholesome  education  some  are  taught 
To  own  that  human  merit  now  is  nought; 
Who  faintly   but  renounce  proud  merit's  name, 
And  cleave  refin'dly  to  the  Popish  scheme. 
For  graceful  works  expecting  divine  bliss, 
And,  when  they  fail,  trust  Christ  for  what's  amiss. 
Thus  to  his  righteousness  profess  to  flee. 
Yet  by  it  still  would  their  own  saviours  be. 
They  seem  to  works  of  merit  bloody  foes, 
Yet  seek  salvation  as  it  we7'e*  by  those. 
Blind  Gentiles  found,  who  did  nor  seek  nor  know; 
But  Israel  lost  it  whole,  who  sought  it  so. 

Let  all  that  love  to  wear  the  legal  dress, 
Know  that  as  sin,  so  bastard  righteousness 
Has  slain  its  thousands,  who  in    tow'ring  pride 
The  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ  deride; 
A  robe  divinely  wrought,  divinely  won. 
Yet  cast  by  men  for  robes  that  are  their  own. 

«  Rom.  9 :  32. 


CHAP.  IV.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS.  59 


II 


But  some  to  legal  works  seem  whole  deni'd, 

Yet  would  by  gospel  works  be  justifi'd, 

By  faith,  repeniance,  love,  and  other  such 

These  dreamers  being  righteous  overmuch 

Like  Uzza,  give  the  ark  a  wrongful  touch 

By  legal  deeds,  however  gospeliz'd, 

Can  e'er  tremendous  justice  be  appeas'd, 

Or  sinners  justifi'd  before  that  God, 

Whose  law  is  perfect,  and  exceeding  broad? 

Nay,  faith  itself,  that  leading  gospel  grace, 

Holds  as  a  work  no  justifying  place. 

Just  Heav'n  to  man  for  righteousness  imputes 

Not  faith  itself,  or  in  its  acts  or  fruits; 

But  Jesus'  meritorious  life  and  death. 

Faith's  proper  object,  all  the  honor  hath. 

From  this  doth  faith  derive  its  glorious  fame, 

Its  great  renown  and  justifying  name; 

Receiving  all  things,  but  deserving  nought; 

By  faith  all's  begg'd  and  taken,  nothing  bought. 

Its  highest  name  is  from  the  wedding  vote, 

So  instrumental  in  the  marriage  knot. 

Jehovah  lends  the  bride  in  that  blest  hour, 

TA'  exceeding  greatness  of  his  mighly  poiv^r,* 

Which  sweetly  does  her  heart  consent  command, 

To  reach  the  wealthy  Prince  her  naked  hand. 

For  close  to  his  embrace  she'd  never  stir, 

If  first  his  loving  arms  embrac'd  not  her: 

But  this  he  does  by  kindly  gradual  chase, 

Of  rousing,  raising,  teaching,  drawing  grace, 

He  shews  her,  in  his  sweetest  love  address, 

His  glory  as  the  Sun  of  righteousness; 

At  which  all  dying  glories  earth  adorn. 

Shrink  like  the  sick  moon  at  the  wholesome  morn 

This  glorious  Sun  arising  with  a  grace. 

Dark  shades  of  creature  rigliteousness  to  chase, 

Faith  now  disclaims  itself,  and  all  the  train 

Of  virtues  formerly  accounted  gain; 

And  counts  them  dung,]^  with  holy,  meek  disdain 

For  now  appears  the  height,  the  depth  immense 

Of  divine  bounty  and  benevolence; 

»  Eph.  7:  16.  +  Phil.  3 :  7.  8. 


,i 


60  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    I. 

Amazing  mercy!  ignorant  of  bounds! 

Which  most  enlarged  faculties  confounds. 

How  vain,  how  void  now  seem  the  vulgar  charms, 

The  monarch's  pomp  of  courts,  and  pride  of  arms? 

The  boasted  beauties  of  the  human  kind, 

The  pow'rs  of  body,  and  the  gifts  of  mind? 

Lo!  in  the  grandeur  of  Immanuel's  train, 

All's  swallowed  up  as  rivers  in  the  main. 

He's  seen,  when  gospel  light  and  sight  is  giv'n, 

Encompass'd  round  with  all  the  pomp  of  heav'n. 

The  soul,  now  taught  of  God,  sees  human  schools 
Make  Christless  rabbi's  only  lit'rate  fools; 
And  that,  till  divine  teaching  pow'rfiil  draw, 
No  learning  will  divorce  them  from  the  law. 
Mere  argument  may  clear  the  head,  and  force 
A  verbal,  not  a  cordial  clean  divorce. 
Hence  many,  taught  the  wholesome  terms  of  art, 
Have  gospel  heads,  but  still  a  legal  heart. 
Till  sov'reign  grace  and  povv'r  the  sinner  catch. 
He  takes  not  Jesus  for  his  only  match. 
Nay,  works  complete!  ah!  true,  however  odd, 
Dead  works  are  rivals  with  the  living  God. 
Till  Heav'n's  preventing  mercy  clear  the  sight, 
Confound  the  pride  with  supemat'ral  light: 
No  haughty  soul  of  human  kind  is  brought 
To  mortify  her  self  exalting  thought. 

Yet  holiest  creatures  in  clay  tents  that  lodge, 
Be  but  their  lives  scann'd  by  the  dreadful  Judge; 
How  shall  they  e'er  his  awful  search  endure, 
Before  whose  purest  eyes  heav'n  is  not  pure? 
How  must  their  black  indictment  be  enlarg'd, 
When  by  him  angels  are  with  folly  charg'd? 
What  human  worth  shall  stand,  when  he  shall  scan? 
O  may  his  glory  stain  the  pride  of  man. 

How  wond'rous  are  the  tracks  of  divine  grace! 
How  searchless  are  his  ways,  how  vast  th'  abyss! 
Let  haughty  reason  stoop,  and  fear  to  leap; 
Angelic  plummets  cannot  sound  the  deep. 
With  scorn  he  turns  his  eyes  from  haughty  kings, 
With  pleasure  looks  on  low  and  worthless  things; 
Deep  are  his  judgments,  sov'reign  is  his  will, 
Let  ev'ry  mortal  worm  be  dumb,  be  still. 


CHAP.   V.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSAIS.  61 

In  vain  proud  reason  swells  beyond  its  bound;      ^ 
God  and  his  counsels  are  a  gulf  profound,  > 

An  ocean  wherein  all  our  thoughts  are  drown'd.  > 


CHAPTER   V. 

ARGUMENTS  AND  ENCOURAGEMENTS  TO  GOSPEL  MINIS- 
TERS TO  AVOID  A  LEGAL  STRAIN  OF  DOCTRINE,  AND 
ENDEAVOR  THE  SINNEr's  MATCH  WITH  CHRIST  BV 
GOSPEL    MEANS. 

Sect.  i.    A  legal  spirit  the  root  of  damnable  errors. 

Ye  heralds  great  that  blow  in  name  of  God 
The  silver  trump  of  gospel  grace  abroad; 
And  sound  by  warrant  from  the  great  I  AM, 
The  nuptial  treaty  with  the  worthy  Lamb; 
Might  ye  but  stoop  th'  unpolish'd  muse  to  brook, 
And  from  a  shrub  an  wholesome  berry. pluck; 
Ye'd  take  encouragement  from  what  is  said. 
By  gospel  means  to  mak-e  the  marriage  bed, 
And  to  your  glorious  Lord  a  virgin  chaste  to  wed 

The  more  proud  nature  bears  a  legal  svvay, 
The  more  should  preachers  bend  the  gospel  way; 
Oft  in  the  church  arise  destructive  schisma 
From  anti-evangelic  aphorisms; 
A  legal  spirit  may  be  justly  nam'd 
The  fertile  womb  of  ev'ry  error  damn'd. 

Hence  Pop'ry,  so  connat'ral  since  the  fall, 
Makes  legal  works,  like  saviors,  merit  all; 
Yea,  more  than  merit  on  their  shoulder  loads, 
To  supererogate  like  demi-gods. 

Hence  proud  Socinians  seat  their  reason  high 
*Bove  ev'ry  precious  gospel  mystery, 
Its  divine  Author  sta:b,  and  without  fear 
The  purple  covert  of  his  chariot  tear. 

With  these  run  Arian  monsters  in  a  line, 
All  gospel  truth  at  once  to  undermine! 
6 


I 


(52  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PAET  I- 

To  darken  and  delete,  like  hellish  foes, 
The  brightest  color  of  the  Sharon  Rose. 
At  best  its  human  red  they  but  decry 
That  blot  the  divine  white  the  native  dye. 

Hence  dare  Arminians  too,  with  brazen  face, 
Give  man's  free  will  the  throne  of  God's  free  grace; 
Whose  self-exalting  tenets  clearly  shew 
Great  ignorance  of  law  and  gospel  too. 

Hence  Neonomians  spring,  as  sundry  call 
The  new  law  makers  to  redress  our  fall. 
I'he  law  of  works,  into  repentance,  faith, 
)s  fhang'd,  as  tl.eir  Baxterian  Bible  saith. 
Shaping  the  gospel  to  an  easy  law, 
They  build  their  tott'ring  house  with  hay  and  straw; 
Yet  hide,  like  Rachel's  idols  in  the  stuff, 
Their  legal  hands  within  a  gospel  muff. 

Yoa,  hence  springs  Antinoinian  vile  refuse, 
Whfise  gioss  abettors  gospel  grace  abuse; 
lJnekill'<i  how  grace's  silken  latchet  bincis 
Her  capLivcs  to  the  law  with  willing  minds. 

Skot.  n.     A  legal  strain  of  doctrine  discovered  and  discarded. 

No  wonder  Paul  the  legal  spirit  curse, 
Of  fatal  errors  such  a  feeding.nurse. 
He,  in  Jehovah's  great  tremendous  name, 
Condemns  pcrvericrs  of  the  gospel  scheme. 
He  damn'd  the  sophist  rude,  the  babbling  priest 
Who'd   venture  to  corrupt  it  in  the  least; 
Yea,  curs'd  the  heavenly  angel  down  to  hell 
Who,  daring,  would  another  gospel  tell.* 
Which  crime  is  charg'd  on  these  that  dare  dispense 
The  self-same  gospel  in  another  sense. 

C/hrist  is  not  preach'd  in'truth  but  in  disguise. 
If  his  bright  glory  half  obscured  lies. 
When  gospel  t?oldicrs,  that  divide  the  word, 
Scarce  brandish  any  but  the  legal  sword; 
While  Chiist  the  author  ef  the  law  they  press» 
More  than  the  end  of  it  for  righteousness; 
Christ  as  a  seeker  of  our  service  trace, 
More  than  a  Giver  of  enabling  grace; 

•  Galatiane  1:  7,8. 


CHAP.  V.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS.  63 

The  King  commanding  holiness  they  show 
More  than  the  Prince  exalted  to  bestow: 
Yea  more  on  Chiist  the  sin  revenger  dwell, 
Than  Christ  Redeemer  both  from  sin  and  hell. 

With  legal  spade  the  gospel  field  he  delves 
Who  thus  drives  sinners  in  unto  themselves; 
Halving  the  truth,  that  should  be  all  reveal'd, 
The  sweetest  part  of  Christ  is  oft  conceal'd. 
We  bid  men  turn  from  sin,  but  seldom  say, 
"  Behold  the  Lamb  thnt  takes  all  sin  away!" 
Christ,  by  the  gospel  rightly  understood, 
Not  only  treats  a  peace,  but  makes  it  good. 
Those  suitors  therefore  of  the  bride,  who  hope 
By  force  to  drag  her  with  the  legal  rope, 
Nor  use  the  drawing  cord  of  conquering  grace, 
Pursue  with  flaming  zeal  a  fruitless  chase; 
In  vain  lame  doings  urge,  wi(h  solemn  awe, 
To  bribe  the  fury  of  the  fiery  law: 
With  equal  success  to  the  fool  that  aims 
By  paper  walls  to  bound  devouring  flames. 
The  law's  but  mock'd  by  their  most  graceful  deed, 
Who  wed  not  first  the  law-fulfilling  Head; 
It  values  neither  !iow  they  wrought  nor  wept 
Who  slight  the  ark  wherein  alone  'tis  kept. 
Yet  legalists  Do,  Do,  with  ardor  press, 
And  with  preposterous  zeal  and  warm  address 
Would  seem  the  greatest  friends  to  holiness; 
But  vainly,  could  such  opposites  accord, 
Respect  the  law,  and  yet  reject  the  Lord. 
They  shew  not  Jesus  as  the  way  to  bliss. 
But  Judas  like,  betray  him  with  a  kiss 
or  boasted  works,  or  mere  profession  puft, 
Law-boasters,  proving  but  law-breakers  oft. 

Sect.  ni.     The  hurtfulness  of  not  preaching  Christ,  and  distin- 
guishing duly  between  law  and  gospel. 

Hell  cares  not  how  crude  h  )liness  be  preach'd. 
If" sinners'  match  with  Christ  be  never  reach'd; 
Knowing  their  holiness  is  but  a  sham 
Who  ne'er  are  married  to  the  Holy  Lamb. 
Let  words  have  ever  such  a  pious  shew, 
And  blaze  aloft  in  rude  professor's  view, 


64  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAET  U 

With  sacred  aromatics  richly  spiced, 

If  they  but  drown  in  silence  glorious  Clirist, 

Or,  if  he  may  some  vacant  room  supj)ly, 

Make  him  a  subject  only  by  the  bye; 

They  mar  true  holiness  with  tickling  chat, 

To  breed  a  bastard  pharisaic  brat. 

They  woluliy  the  gospel  message  broke, 

Make  fearful  havock  of  the  Master's  flock; 

Yet  please  themselves,  and  the  blind  mullituder 

By  whom  the  gospel's  little  understood. 

Rude  souls  perhaps  imagine  little  odds 
Between  the  legal  and  the  gospel  roads: 
But  vainly  men  attempt  to  blend  the  two; 
They  differ  more  than  Christ  and  Moses  do. 
Moses,  evciugelizing  in  the  shade,  ] 

iiy  types  the  news  of  light  approaching  spreads 
±i  ;t  from  the  law  of  works  by  him  proclaim'd, 
^o  ray  of  gospel  grace  or  mercy  gleam'd. 
By  nature's  light  the  lavt^  to  ail  is  known, 
But  lightsome  news  of  gospel  grace  to  none. 
The  doing  covenant  now,  in  part  or  whole, 
is  stronjf  to  damn,  buL  wt;ak  to  save  a  soul. 
1.  hurts,  but  cannot  help,  but  as  it  tends 
Through  mercy  to  subseive  some  gospel  ends- 
Law-thunder  roughly  to  the  gospel  tames. 
The  gospel  mildly  to  the  law  reclaims. 
The  fiery  law,  as  'tis  a  covenant, 
Schools  men  to  see  the  gospel  aid  they  want; 
Then  gospel  aid  does  sweetly  them  incline 
Back  to  the  law,  as  'tis  a  rule  divine. 
Heav'n's  healing  work  is  oft  commenc'd  with  wounds,. 
Terror  begins  what  loving-kindness  crowns. 
Preachers  may  therefore  press  the  fiery  law, 
To  strike  the  christless  man  with  dreadful  awe. 
hnw  threats  which  for  his  sins  to  hell  depress. 
Yea,  damn  him  for  his  rotten  righteousness; 
I'hat  while  he  views  •the  law  exceeding  broad. 
He  fain  may  wed  the  righteousness  of  God. 

But,  ah!  to  press  law-works  as  terms  of  life,. 
Was  ne'er  the  way  to  court  the  Lamb  a  wife. 
To  urge  conditions  in  the  legal  frame. 
Is  to  renew  tiie  vain  old  covenant  game..- 


CHAP.  V.  TSE    BELIEVER^S   ESPOUSALS.  63 

The  law  is  good  when  lawfully  'tis  us'd,* 
But  most  destructive  when  it  is  abus'd. 
They  set  no  duties  in  their  proper  sphere, 
Who  duly  law  and  gospel  don't  sever; 
But  under  massy  chains  let  sinners  lie, 
As  tributaries  or  to  Do  or  Die; 
Nor  make  the  law  a  squaring  rule  of  life. 
But  in  the  gospel  throat  a  bloody  knife. 

Sect.  iv.     Damnable  pride  and   self-righteousness,  so  natural  to 
all  men,  has  little  need  to  be  encouraged  by  legal  preaching. 

The  legal  path  proud  nature  loves  so  well, 
(Though  yet  'tis  but  the  cleanest  road  to  hell.) 
That  lo!  e'en  these  that  take  the  foulest  ways. 
Whose  lewdness  no  controling  bridle  stays. 
If  but  their  drowsy  conscience  raise  its  voice, 
'Twill  speak  the  law  of  works  their  native  choice, 
And  echo  to  the  rousing  sound,  "  Ah.  true, 
*'  I  cannot  hope  to  live,  unless  I  Do." 
No  conscious  breast  of  mortal  kind  can  trace 
The  mystery  deep  of  being  sav'd  by  grace.' 
Of  this  nor  is  the  natural  conscience  skill'd, 
Nor  will  admit  it  when  it  is  reveal'd; 
But  pushes  at  the  gospel  like  a  ram. 
As  proxy  for  the  law,  against  the  Lamb. 
The  proud,  self-righteous,  })harisaic  strain 
Is  "  Blest  be  God,  I'm  not  like  other  men; 
*'  I  read  and  pray,  give  alms,  I  mourn  and  fast;"}" 
"  And  therefore  hope  I'll  get  to  heaven  at  last: 
"  For  though  from  every  sin  I  be  not  free 
"  Great  multitudes  of  men  are  worse  than  me. 
"  I'm  none  of  those  that  swear,  cheat,  drink  and  whore." 
Thus  on  the  law  he  builds  his  Babel  tower. 

Yea,  e'en  the  vilest  cursed  debauchee  i 

Will  make  the  law  of  works  his  very  plea;  > 

"  Why,  (says  the  rake)  what  take  you  me  to  be?  ) 
"  A  Turk  or  infidel;  (you  lie,)  I  can't^  x^  ^ 
"  Be  term'd  so  base,  but  by  a  sycophant;'  ^ 
"  Only  I  hate  to  act  the  whining  saint.     S 

»1  Tim.  1:8.  tLuke  18:  11,  1"2. 


66  eoSPBE   SONNETS.  PART  J^ 

"  f  am  a  Christian  true:  and  therefore  bode 

•'  It  shall  be  well  with  me,  I  hope  in  God. 

"  An't  I  an  honest  man?  yea,  I  defy 

"  The  tongue  that  dare  assert  black  to  mine  eye.'' 

Perhaps,  when  the  reprover  turns  his  back; 

He'll  vend  the  viler  wares  o'  's  open'd  pack, 

And  with  his  fellows,  in  a  strain  more  big, 

"  Bid  damn  the  base,  uncharitable  whig. 

"  These  scoundrel  hypocrites  (he'll  proudly  say) 

"  Think  none  shall  ever  merit  heav'n  but  they; 

"  And  yet  we  may  compete  with  them;  for  see, 

"  The  best  have  blemishes  as  well  as  we. 

"  We  have  as  good  a  heart  (we  trust)  as  these, 

"  Tho'  not  with  vain  superfluous  shew  and  blaze^ 

"  Bigoted  zealots,  whose  sole  crimes  are  hid, 

"  Would  damn  us  all  to  hell;  but  God  forbid. 

"  Whatever  such  a  whining  sect  profess, 

"  'Tis  but  a  nice,  morose,  affected  dress. 

"  And  though  wc  don't  pretend  so  much  as  they^ 

"  We  hope  to  compass  heav'n  a  shorter  way; 

"  We  seek  Ggd's  mercy,  and  are  all  along 

"  Most  free  of  malice,  and  do  no  man  wrong. 

"  But  whims  fantastic  shan't  our  heads  annoy, 

"  That  would  our  social  liberties  destroy. 

"  Sure,  right  religion  never  was  design'd 

"  To  mar  the  native  mirth  of  human  kind. 

"  How  weak  are  those  that  would  be  thought  nonsach'' 

"  How  mad,  that  would  be  righteous  o'ermuch? 

"  We  have  sufficient,  though  we  be  not  cramm'd; 

"  We'll  therefore  hope  the  best,  let  them  be  dama'd.** 

Ah,  horrid  talk!   yet  so  the  legal  strain 
Lards  e^en  the  language  of  the  most  profane. 
Thus  dev'lish  pride  o'erlooks  a  thousand  faults,  ' 
And  on  a  legal  ground  itself  exalts. 
This  DO  and  LIVE,  though  doing  pow'r  be  lost. 
In  ev'ry  mortal  is  proud  nature's  boast. 
How  does  a  vain  conceit  of  goodness  swell. 
And  feed  false  hope,  amidst  the  shades  of  hell 
Shall  we,  who  should  by  gospel  methods  draw. 
Send  sinners  to  their  nat'ral  spouse  the  law; 
And  hiup  upon  the  doing  string  to  such, 
Who  igiiorantly  dream  they  do  so  much? 


eaXP.  V.  THE   BELIEVER  S   ESPOUSALS.  C7 

Why,  thus,  instead  of  courting  Christ  a  bride, 
We  harden  rebels  in  their  native  pride. 

Much  rather  ought  we  in  God's  name  to  place 
His  great  artill'ry  straight  against  their  face; 
And  throw  hot  Sinai  thunderbolts  around, 
To  burn  their  tow'ring  hopes  down  to  the  ground. 
To  make  the  pillars  of  their  pride  to  shake, 
And  damn  their  doings  to  the   burning  lake, 
To  curse  the  doers  unto  endless  thrall, 
That  never  did  continue  to  do  all.* 
To  scorch  their  conscience  with  the  flaming  air, 
And  sink  their  haughty  hopes  in  deep  despair; 
Denouncing  Ebal's  black  revenging  doom, 
To  blast  their  expectation  in  the  bloom; 
Till  once  vain  hope  of  life  by  works  give  place 
Unto  a  solid  hope  of  life  by  grace. 
The  vig'rous  use  of  means  is  safely  urg'd. 
When  pressing  calls  from  legal  dregs  are  purg'd; 
But  most  unsafely  in  a  fed'ral  dress, 
Confounding  terms  of  life  with  means  of  grace. 
Oh!  dang'rous  is  th'  attempt  proud  flesh  to  please, 
Or  send  a  sinner  to  the  law  for  ease; 
Who  rather  needs  to  feel  its  piercing  dart, 
Till  dreadful  pangs  invade  his  trembling  heart; 
And  thither  should  be  only  sent  for  flames 
Of  fire  to  burn  his  rotten  hopes  and  claims; 
That  thus  disarm'd,  he  gladly  may  embrace. 
And  grasp  with  eagerness  the  news  of  grace. 

Sect.  v.  The  gfospel  of  divine  grace  tlie  only  means  of  converting 
sinners,  and  should  be  preached  therefore  most  clearly,  fully, 
and  freely. 

They  ought,  who  royal  grace's  heralds  be, 
To  trumpet  loud  salvation,  full  and  free: 
Nor  safely  can,  to  humor  mortal  pride. 
In  silence  evangelic  myst'ries  hide. 
What  heav'n  is  pleas'd  to  give,  dare  we  refuse; 
Or  under  ground  conceal,  lest  men  abuse? 
Suppress  the  gospel  flow'r,  upon  pretence 
That  some  vile  spiders  may  suck  poison  thence? 

*  Galatians  3:10. 


68  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART    I. 

• 

Christ  is  a  stumbling  block,*  shall  we  neglect 
Topreach  him,  lest  the  blind  should  break  their  neck? 
That  high  he's  for  the  fall  of  many  set 
As  well  as  for  the  rise,'\  must  prove  no  let. 
No  grain  of  precious  truth  must  be  supprest, 
Though  reprobates  should  to  their  ruin  wrest. 
Shall  heav'n's  coruseant  lamp  be  dimm'd,  that  pays 
Its  daily  tribute  down  in  golden  rays, 
Because  some,  blinded  with  the  blazing  gleams, 
Share  not  the  pleasure  of  the  lightning  beams: 
Let  those  be  hard'ned,  petrifi'd,  and  harm'd, 
The  rest  are  mollifi'd  and  kindly  warm'd. 
A  various  savor,:{:  flowers  in  grace's  field, 
Of  life  to  some,  of  death  to  others  yield. 
Must  then  the  rose  be  vail'd,  the  lily  hid, 
The  fragrant  savor  stifled!     God  forbid. 
The  revelation  of  the  gospel  flower. 
Is  still  the  organ  fam'd  of  saving  power; 
Most  justly  then  are  legal  minds  condemn'd, 
That  of  the  glorious  gospel  are  asham'd: 
For  this  the  divine  arm,  and  only  this, 
The  power  of  God  unto  salvation  is. 
For  therein  is  reveaVd,  to  screen  from  wrath, 
The  righteousness  of  God  from  faith  to  faith.^ 
The  happy  change  in  guilty  sinners'  case 
They  owe  to  free  displays  of  sovereign  grace; 
Whose  joyful  tidings  of  amazing  love 
The  ministration  of  the  Spirit  prove. 
The  glorious  vent  the  gospel  news  express, 
Of  God's  free  grace,  thro'  Christ's  full  righteousness, 
Is  heav'n's  gay  chariot  where  the  Spirit  bides. 
And  in  his  conquering  power  triumphant  rides. 
The  gospel  field  is  still  the  Spirit's  soil. 
The  golden  pipe  that  bears  the  holy  oil; 
The  orb  where  he  outshines  the  radiant  sun, 
l^he  silver  channel  where  his  graces  run. 
Within  the  gospel  banks  his  flowing  tide 
Of  light'ning,  quick'ning  motions,  sweetly  glide. 
Received  ye  the  Spirit,  scripture  saith,|| 
By  legal  works,  or  by  the  word  of  faith? 

*  1  Corinthians  1: 23.         +  Luke  2: 34.         1 2  Cor.  2: 16. 
^Romans  1:26,27.  |1  Galatians  3:2. 


CHAF.    V.  THE  believer's    ESPOUSALS.  €9 

If  by  the  gospel  only,  then  let  none 
Dare  to  be  wiser  than  the  wisest  One. 

We  must,  who  freely  get,  as  freely  give 
The  vital  word  that  makes  the  dead  to  live. 
For  even  to  sinners  dead  within  our  reach 
We  in  his  living  name  may  most  successful  preach- 

The  Spirit  and  the  scripture  both  agree 
Jointly,  says  Christ,  to  testify  of  me.* 
Tiie  preacher  then  will  from  his  text  decline, 
That  scorns  to  harmonize  with  this  design. 
Press  moral  duties  to  the  last  degree; 
Why  not?  but  mind,  lest  we  successless  be, 
No  light,  no  hope,  no  strength  for  duties  spring. 
Where  Jesus  is  not  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King. 
No  light  to  see  the  way  unless  he  teach,  ^ 

No  joyful  hope,  save  in  his  hlood  we  reach,        > 
Nor  strength,  unless  his  i-oyal  arm  he  stretch.  J 
Then  from  our  leading  scope  how  gross  we  fall,  ^ 
If,  like  his  name,  in  every  gospel  call,  > 

We  make  not  him  the  First,  the  Last,  the  All/  j 

Our  oflice  is  to  bear  the  radiant  torch 
Of  gospel  light  into  the  darken'd  porch 
Of  human  understandings,  and  dis])lay 
The  joyful  dawn  of  everlasting  day; 
To  draw  the  golden  chariot  of  free  grace. 
The  darken'd  shades  with  shining  rays  to  chase, 
Till  heaven's  bright  lamp  on  circling  wheels  be  hurl'd. 
With  sparkling  grandeur,  round  the  dusky  vvorld; 
And  thus  to  bring  in  dying  mortals'  sight, 
New  life  and  immortality  to  light. f 
We're  charg'tl  to  pi-each  the  gospel  unconfin'd, 
To  every  creatvreX  of  the  liuman  kind; 
To  call,  with  tenders  of  salvation  free, 
All  corners  of  the  earth  to  come  and  see:^ 
And  every  sinner  must  excuseless  make. 
By  urging  rich  and  poor  to  come  and  talce.\\ 
Ho,  every  one  that  thirsts,^  is  grace's  call 
Direct  to  needy  sinners  great  and  small; 
Not  meaning  those  alone,  whose  holy  thirst 
Denominates  their  soul's  already  blest. 

«  John  15:9G.  5:39,  1 2  Tim.  1:10  t  Mark  16:15. 

§  Ida.  15:^2.  John  1:39. 46.      ||  Rev.  22 :17.      V  Isa.55 :1, 2, 


70  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  TART  1. 

If  only  those  were  calTd,  tlien  none  but  saints; 

Nor  would  the  gospel  suit  the  sinner's  wants. 

But  here  the  call  does  signally  import 

Sinners  and  thirsty  souls  of  every  sort; 

And  mainly  to  their  door  the  message  brings, 

Who  yet  are  thirsting  after  empty  things; 

"  Who  spend  their  means  no  living  bread  to  buy, 

"  And  pains  for  that  which  cannot  satisfy." 

Such  thirsty  sinners  here  invited  are. 

Who  vainly  spend  their  money,  thought,  and  care, 

On  passing  shades,  vile  lusts,  and  trash  so  base, 

As  yield  immortal  souls  no  true  solace. 

The  call  directs  them,  as  they  would  be  blest, 

To  choose  a  purer  object  of  their  thirst. 

All  are  invited  by  the  joyful  sound 

To  drink  who  need,  as  does  the  parched  ground, 

W^hose  wide-mouth'd  clefts  speak  to  the  brazen  sky 

Its  passive  thirst,  without  an  active  cry. 

The  gospel  preacher  then,  with  holy  skill, 
Mustofter  Christ  to  whomsoever  will. 
To  sinners  of  all  sorts  that  can  be  nam'd; 
The  blind,  the  lame,  the  poor,  the  half,  the  maim'd.* 
Not  daring  to  restrict  the  extensive  call. 
But  opening  wide  the  net  to  catch  them  all. 
No  soul  must  be  excluded  that  will  come, 
Nor  right  of  access  be  confin'd  to  some. 
Though  none  will  come  till  conscious  of  their  want. 
Yet  right  they  have  to  come  by  sov'reign  grant; 
Such  right  to  Christ,  his  promise,  and  his  grace, 
That  all  are  damu'd  who  hoar  and  don't  embrace. 
So  freely  is  the  unbounded  call  dispens'd, ' 
We  therein  find  even  sinners  unconvinc'd; 
Who  know  not  they  are  naked,  blind,  and  poor,'|'  ^ 

Counsell'd  to  buy  or  beg  at  Jesus  door,  > 

And  lake  the  glorious  robe,  eye-salve,  and  golden  store.  ) 
This  prize  they  are  oblig'd  by  faith  to  win, 
Else  unbelief  would  never  be  their  sin. 
Yea,  gospel  oflers  but  a  sham  we  make, 
If  ev'ry  sinner  has  not  right  to  take. 
Be  gospel  heralds  fortifi'd  from  this, 

•Luke  14:21,  t  Rev.  3:17,  18. 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    believer's    ESPOUSALS.  71 

To  trumpet  grace,  howe'er  the  gerpent  hiss. 
Did  hell's  malicious  mouth  in  dreadful  shape 
'Gainst  innocence  itself  malignant  gape? 
Then  sacred  truth's  devoted  vouchers  may 
For  dire  reproach  their  measures  constant  lay. 
With  cruel  calumny  of  old  commenc'd, 
This  sect  will  ev'nj  where  be  spolce  against;* 
While  to  and  fro  he  runs  the  earth  across, 
Whose  name  is  Adelvhon  KATEGOROs.f 
In  spite  of  hell  be  then  our  constant  strife 
To  win  the  glorious  Lamb,  a  virgin  wife. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

AN  EXHORTATION  TO  ALL  THAT  ARE  OUT  OF  CHRIST; 
IN  ORDER  TO  THEIR  CLOSING  THE  MATCH  WITH 
him:    CONTAINING    ALSO    MOTIVES    AND    DIRECTIONS. 

Reader,  into  thine  hands  these  lines  are  giv'n, 
But  not  without  the  providence  of  Hcav'n; 
Or  to  advance  thy  bliss,  if  thou  art  wise. 
Or  aggravate  thy  wo,  if  thou  despise. 
For  thee,  for  thee,  perhaps  th'  Omniscient  ken 
Has  form'd  the  counsel  here,  and  led  the  pen. 
The  writer  then  does  thy  attention  plead, 
In  His  great  name  that  gave  thee  eyes  to  read. 

Section  i.  Conviction  offered  -to  sinners,  especially  such  as  ore 
wedded  strictly  to  the  law,  or  relf-rigiiteousness,  tliat  tliey  may 
see  the  need  of  Christ's  righteousness. 

If  never  yet  thou  didst  fair  Jesus  wed, 
Nor  yield  thy  heart  to  be  his  marriage  bed. 
But  hitherto  art  wedded  to  the  law, 
Which  never  could  thy  chain'd  aficctions  draw 
From  brutish  lusts  and  sordid  lover's  charms; 
Lo!  thou  art  yet  in  Satan's  folded  arms. 

♦  Acts  28:22.  t  Or  the  accuser  of  tlxe  brethren. 


72  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  T. 

Hell's  pow'r  invisible  thy  soul  retains 
His  capfjve  slave,  lock'd  up  in. massy  chains. 
O!  sinner,  then,  as  thou  regard'st  thy  life,  ^ 

Seek,  seek,  with  ardent  care  and  earnest  strife,         > 
To  be  the  glorious  Lamb's  betrothed  wife.  y 

For  base  corrivals  never  let  him  lose 
Thy  heart,  his  bed  of  conjugal  repose. 
Wed  Christ  alone,  and  with  severe  remorse  ^ 

From  other  mates  pursue  a  clean  divorce;  > 

For  they  thy  ruin  seek  by  fraud  or  force.  y 

As  lurking  serpents  in  the  shady  bow'rs 
Conceal  their  malice  under  spreading  flow'rs,* 
So  thy  deceitful  lusts  with  cruel  spite 
Hide  ghastly  danger  under  gay  delight. 
Art  thou  a  legal  zealot,  soft  or  rude, 
Renounce  thy  nal'ral  and  acquired  good. 
As  base  deceitful  lusts  may  work  thy  smart, 
So  may  deceitful  frames  upon  thy  heart. 
Seeming  good  motions  may  in  some  be  found, 
Much  joy  in  hearing,  like  the  stony  ground;* 
Much  sorrow  too  in  ■praying,  as  appears 
In  Esau's  careful  suit  with  rueful  tears,t 
Touching  the  law  they  blameless  may  appear,X 
From  spurious  views  most  specious  virtues  bear. 
Nor  merely  be  devout  in  men's  esteem. 
But  piove  to  be  sincerely  what  they  seem, 
Friends  to  the  holy  law,  in  heart  and  life, 
Suers  of  heav'n  with  utmost  legal  strife; 
Yet  still  with  innate  pride  so  rankly  spic'd, 
Converted  but  to  duties,  not  to  Christ; 
That  publicans  and  harlots  heav'n  obtain^ 
Before  a  crew  so  righteous  and  so  vain. 
Sooner  will  those  shake  off  their  vicious  dress 
Than  these  blind  zealots  will  their  righteousness, 
Who  judge  they  have  (which  fortifies  their  pride) 
The  law  of  God  itself  upon  their  side. 
Old  nature,  new  brush'd  up  with  legal  pains, 
Such  strict  attachment  to  the  law  retains, 
No  means,  no  motives  can  to  Jesus  draw 
Vain  souls  so  doubly  wedded  to  the  law. 

•Luke  8:13.    +Heb.  12:17.    t  PhU.  3:9.    §  Matthew  21:31. 


CHAr.  VI.  THE  believer's    ESPOUSALS.  73 

But  wouldst  the  glorious  Prince  in  marriage  have, 
Know  that  thy  nat'ral  husband  cannot  save. 
Thy  best  essays  to  pay  the  legal  rent 
Can  never  in  the  least  the  law  content. 
Didst  thou  in  pray'rs  employ  the  morning  light, 
In  tears  and  groans  the  watches  of  the  night, 
Pass  thy  whole  life  in  close  devotion  o'er; 
'Tis  nothing  to  the  law  still  craving  more. 
There's  no  proportion  'twixt  its  high  commands,  1 

And  puny  works  from  thy  polluted  hands;  \ 

Perfection  is  the  least  that  it  demands.  y 

Wouldst  enter  into  life,  then  keep  the  law;* 
But  keep  it  perfectly  without  a  flaw. 
It  won't  have  less,  nor  will  abate  at  la^t 
A  drop  of  vengeance  for  the  sin  that's  past. 
Tell,  sinful  mortal,  is  thy  stock  so  large 
As  duly  can  defray  this  double  charge; 
"  Why  these  are  mere  impossibles,"  say'st  thouj 
Yea,  truly,  so  they  are,  and  therefore  now, 
That  down  thy  legal  confidence  may  fall, 
The  law's  black  doom,  home  to  thy  bosom  caJI. 

■"  Lo!  I  (ihe  divine  law)  demand  no  less 

"  Than  perfect,  everlasting  righteousness; 

"■  But  thou  hast  fail'd,  and  lost  thy  strength  to  do: 

"  Therefore  I  doonj  thee  to  eternal  wo; 

"  In  prison  close  to  be  shut  up  for  aye, 

*'  Ere  I  be  baffled  with  thy  partial  pay. 

"  Thou  always  didst  and  dost  my  precepts  break, 

"  I  therefore  curse  thee  to  the  burning  lake. 

"In  God  the  great  Lawgiver's  glorious  name, 

*'  I  judge  thy  soul  to  everlasting  shame. 

"  No  jlesh  can  by  the  law  be  justijied;^''-\ 

Yet  darcst  thou  thy  legal  duties  plead? 

As  Paul  appcal'd  to  Cesar,  wilt  thou  so,  \ 

Unto  the  law?  then  to  it  shalt  thou  go,  \ 

And  find  it  doom  thee  to  eternal,  wo.  J 

What!  would  ye  have  us  plung'd  in  deep  despair? 

Amen;  yea,  God  himself  would  have  you  there, 

His  will  it  is  that  you  despair  of  life 

And  safety  by  the  law,  or  legal  strife; 

*  Matthew  21:17.  tRomana  3:20. 

7 


74  GOSPEL  S0NNET3.  PAST   U 

That  cleanly  thence  divorc'd  at  any  rate, 

His  fairest  Son  may  have  a  faithful  mate. 

'Till  this  law  sentence  pass  within  your  breast, 

You'll  never  wed  the  law  discharging  Priest. 

You  prize  not  heaven,  till  he  through  hell  you  draw; 

Nor  love  the  gospel,  till  you  know  the  law. 

Know  thrn,  the  divine  law,  most  perfect,  cares 
For  none  of  ihy  imperfect  legal  wares; 
Dooms  thee  to  vengeance  for  thy  sinful  state, 
As  well  as  sinful  actions  small  or  great. 
If  any  sin  can  be  accounted  small, 
To  hell  it  dooms  thy  soul  for  one  and  all. 
For  sins  of  nature,  practice,  heart,  and  way, 
Damnation-rent  it  summons  thee  to  pay. 
Yea,  not  for  sin  alone,  which  is  thy  shame, 
But  for  thy  boasted  service  too  so  lame, 
Tlie  law  adjudges  thee  and  hell  to  meet. 
Because  thy  righteousness  is  incomplete. 
As  towering  flames  burn  up  the  Vv'ither'd  flags, 
So  will  the  fiery  law  thy  filthy  rags. 

Sect.  ii.  Direction  given,  with  reference  to  tlie  right  nse  of 
the  means,  that  we  rest  not  on  these  instead  of  Christ,  the  glo- 
rious Husband,  in  wliom  our  help  lies, 

Adam,  where  art  thou?*  Soul,  where  art  thou  now? 
Old  art  thou  saying,  Sir,  what  shall  I  do?'\ 
I  dare  not  use  that  proud,  self-raising  strain, 
"  Go  help  youiself,  and  God  will  help  you  then-" 
Nay,  rather  know,  O  Israel,  that  thou  hast 
Destroyed  thyself,  and  canst  not  in  the  least 
From  sin  nor  wrath  thyself  the  captive  free, 
"  Thy  help  (says  Jesus)  only  lies  in  ine."^ 
Heaven's  oracles  direct  to  him  alone; 
Full  help  is  laid  upon  this  mighty  One. 
In  him,  in  him  complete  salvation  dwells; 
He's  God  the  helper,  and  there  is  none  else.^ 
Fig  leaves  won't  hide  thee  from  the  fiery  shower, 
'Tis  he  alone  that  saves  by  price  and  power. 

Must  we  do  nothing  then,  (will  mockers  say,) 
But  rest  in  sloth  till  Heav'n  the  help  convey; 
Pray,  stop  a  little,  sinner,  don't  abuse 
liod's  awful  word,  that  charges  thee  to  use 

*  Gen.  3:9.        f  Mark  10:17.        iHos.  13:9.        ^Isa.  45:22. 


CHAP.  VI.  THE     BELIEVEB's    ESPOUSALS.  "^S 

Means,  ordinances,  which  he's  pleased  to  placo, 
As  precious  channels  of  his  powerful  grace. 
Restless  improve  all  these,  until  from  Heaven 
The  whole  salvation  needful  thus  be  given. 
Wait  in  this  path,  according  to  his  call, 
On  him  whose  power  alone  eflecteth  all. 
Wouldst  thou  him  wed,  in  duties  wait,  I  say, 
But  marry  not  thy  duties  by  the  way. 
Thou'lt  wofully  come  short  of  saving  grace, 
If  duties  only  be  thy  resting  place. 
Nay,  go  a  little  futther*  through  them  all, 
To  him  whose  oHice  is  to  save  from  thrall. 
Thus  in  a  gospel  manner  hopeful  wait, 
Striving  to  enter  by  the  narrow  gatc:t 
So  strait  and  narrow,  that  it  won't  admit 
The  bunch  upon  thy  back  to  enter  it. 
Not  only  biiUiy  his.'s  nsay  oeaee  to  prcs:?, 
But  even  the  bunch  of  boasted  righteousness. 

Muiv/,  as  ill  the  sacred  page  wo  see, 
Shall  strive  to  enfcr,  hut  unable  be:X 
Because,  mistaking  this  new  way  of  life, 
They  pusl)  a  legal,  not  a  gospel  strife: 
As  if  their  duties  did  Jehovah  bind, 
Because  'lis  written.  Seek,  and  ye  shall Jind.^ 
Perverted  scripture  does  their  error  fence, 
They  read  the  letter,  but  neglect  the  sense. 
While  to  the  woild  no  gospel  gloss  they  give, 
Their  seek  nu:\  fiid  's  the  sam3  with  do  and  live. 
Hence  would  they  a  connexion  native  place. 
Between  tlieir  moral  [)ains  and  saving  grace: 
Their  nat'ral  poor  essays  they  judge  won't  miss, 
Injustice  to  infer  eternal  bliss. 

Thus  commentaries  on  the  word  they  make, 
Which  to  their  ruin  are  a  grand  mistake: 
For  through  the  legal  bias  in  their  breast. 
They  scri|)ture  to  tiieir  own  destruction  wrest. 
Why,  if  we  seek  xoeget,  they  gather  hence: 
Which  is  not  truth,  save  in  the  scripture  sense. 
There  Jesus  deals  with  friends,  and  elsewhere  saitb, 
These  seekers  only  speed,  that  ask  in  faith .U 

»  Song  3:1.4.      +  Matth.  7 :13,14      t  Luke  13:24.      «Matt7cl7. 

1  James  1:6. 


7G  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  TA-UV    T- 

The  prayer  of  the  wicked  is  abhorr'd, 

As  an  abomination  to  the  Lord.* 

Their  suits  are  sins,  but  their  neglects  no  less. 

Which  can't  their  guilt  diminisii,  but  increase. 

They  ought,  like  beggars,  lie  in  grace's  way; 

Hence  Peter  taught  the  sorcerer  to  pray:"j" 

For  though  mere  nat'ral  men's  address  or  prayer* 

Can  no  acceptance  gain  as  works  of  theirs, 

Nor  have,  as  their  pei-foi'mance,  any  sway: 

Yet  as  a  divine  ordinance  they  may, 

But  spotless  truth  hath  bound  itself  to  grant 

The  suit  of  none  but  the  believing  saint. 

In  Jesus,  persons  once  accepted,  do 

Acceptance  find  in  him  for  duties  too. 

For  He,  whose  Son  they  do  in  marriage  take, 

Is  bound  to  hear  them  for  their  Husband's  sake. 

Hut  let  no  Christless  soul  at  prayer  appear, 
As  if  Jehovah  were  oblig'd  to  hear: 
But  use  the  means,  because  a  sov'reign  God 
May  come  with  alms,  in  this  his  wonted  road. 
He  wills  thee  to  frequent  kind  wisdom's  gate. 
To  read,  hear,  meditate,  to  pray,  and  wait; 
Thy  spirit  then  be  on  these  duties  bent, 
As  gospel  means,  but  not  as  legal  rent. 
From  these  don't  thy  salvation  hope  nor  claim, 
But  from  Jehovah  in  the  use  of  them. 
The  boggai's  spirit  never  was  so  dull. 
While  waiting  at  the  gate  call'd  Beautifxd, 
To  hope  for  succor  from  the  temple  gate. 
At  which  he  daily  did  so  careful  wait; 
But  fiom  the  rich  and  charitable  sort, 
Who  to  the  temple  daily  made  resort. 
Means,  ordinances,  are  the  comely  gate, 
At  which  kind  Heav'n  has  bid  us  constant  wait: 
Not  that  from  these  we  have  our  alms,  but  from 
The  liberal  God,  who  there  is  wont  to  come. 
If  either  we  these  means  shall  dare  neglect. 
Or  yet  from  these  th'  enriching  bliss  expect,. 
We  from  the  glory  of  the  king  defalk, 
Who  in  the  galleries  is  wont  to  walk; 

*  Prov.  15 :9.     28:9.  t  Acts  8  :29. 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    believer's   ESPOUSALS.  7T 

We  move  not  regular  in  duties  road, 
But  base,  invert  them  to  an  idol  god. 

Seek  then,  if  gospel  means  you  would  essay. 
Through  grace  to  use  them  in  a  gospel  way: 
Not  deeming  that  your  duties  i.re  the  price 
Of  divine  favor,  or  of  paiadisc; 
Nor  that  your  best  efforts  cmploy'd  in  these 
Are  fit  exploits  your  awful  Judge  to  please, 
Why,  thus  you  basely  idolize  your  trash, 
And  make  it  with  the  blood  of  Jesus  clash. 
You'd  buy  the  blessing  with  your  vile  refuse, 
And  so  his  precious  righteousness  abuse. 
What!  buy  his  gifts  with  filthy  lumber?   nay; 
Whoever  offers  this  must  hear  him  say. 
Thy  money  perish  with  thy  soul  for  aye* 

Duties  arc  means,  which  to  the  marriage  bed 
Should  chastely  lead  us  like  a  chamber  maid; 
But  if  with  her  instead  of  Christ  wo  match, 
We  not  our  safety,  but  our  ruin  hatch. 
To  Cesar  what  is  Cesar's  should  be  given, 
But  Cesar  must  not  have  what's  due  to  Ileav'n; 
So  duties  should  have  duties'  room,  'lis  true, 
But  nothing  of  the  glorious  Husband's  due.  ^ 

While  means  the  debt  of  close  attendance  crave, 
Our  whole  dependence  God  alone  must  have. 
If  duties'  tears,  our  conscience  pacify. 
They  with  the  blood  of  Christ  presume  to  vie. 
Means  are  his  vassals;  sliali  we  without  grudge 
Discard  the  master,  and  espouse  the  drudge? 
The  hypocrite,  the  Iv^^alist  does  sinj 
To  live  on  duties,  not  on  Christ  therein. 
He  only  feeds  on  empty  dishes,  plates. 
Who  dotes  on  means,  but  at  the  manna  frets. 
Let  never  means  consent  thy  soul  at  all. 
Without  tha  Husband,  who  is  all  in  all.f 
Cry  daily  for  the  happy  marriage  hour; 
To  thee  belongs  the  mean,  to  him  thj  power. 

Sect.  hi.     A  call  to  believe  in  Josus  Chrisf,  v/ith  some  hints  at  the 
act  and  object  of  lV.^Ui. 
Friend,  is  (he  question  on  tiiy  heart  engrav'd,. 
"  What  shall  I  do  to  be  forever  sav'd'ij: 

»  Acts  8:20.    t  Col.  3:3    t  Acts  10:30. 


78  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PABT   I 

Lo!  here's  a  living'  rock  to  build  upon; 

Believe  in  Jesus;*  and  on  him  alone 

For  righteousness  and  strength  thine  anchor  drop» 

Renouncing  all  thy  former  legal  hope. 

*'  Believe  (say  you!)  I  can  no  more  believe, 

"  Than  keep  the  law  of  works.,  the  DO  and  LIVE." 

True;  and  it  were  thy  mercy,  didst  thou  see 

Thine  utter  want  of  al)  ability. 

New  covenant  graces  he  alone  can  grant, 

Whom  God  has  given  to  be  the  covenant;! 

Even  Jesus,  whom  the  sacred  letters  call 

Faith's  object,  author,  finisher,  and  all; 

In  him  alone,  not  in  thy  act  of  faith, 

Thy  soul  believing  full  salvation  hath. 

In  this  new  covenant  judge  not  faith  to  hold. 
The  room  of  perfect  doing  in  the  old. 
Faith  is  not  giv'n  to  be  the  fed'ral  price 
Of  other  blessings,  or  of  paradise: 
But  Heaven,  by  giving  this,  strikes  out  a  door 
At  which  is  carried  in  still  more  and  moie. 
No  sinner  must  upon  his  faith  lay  stress, 
As  if  it  were  a  perfect  righteousness. 
God  ne'er  assign'd  unto  it  such  a  place; 
'Tis  but  at  best  a  bankrupt  begging  grace. 
Its  object  makes  its  fame  to  fly  abroad. 
So  close  it  gripes  the  righteousness  of  God; 
Which  righteousness  receiv'd,  is  (without  strife) 
The  true  condition  of  eternal  life. 

But  still,  say  you,  power  to  believe  I  miss. 
You  may;  but  know  you  what  believing  is? 
Faith  lies  not  in  your  building  up  a  tower 
Of  some  great  action  by  your  proper  power, 
For  heaven  well  knows  that  by  the  killing  falU 
No  power,  no  will  remains  in  man  at  all 
For  acts  divinely  good;  'till  sov'reign  grace, 
By  powerful  dravving  virtue  turn  the  chase. 
Hence  none  believe  in  Jesus  as  they  ought, 
'Till  once  they  first  believe  they  can  do  nought, 
Nor  are  sufficient  e'en  to  form  at1iovght.'\. 
They're  conscious,  in  the  right  believing  hour, 
Of  human  weakness,  and  of  divine  power. 

♦Acts  16:31.    tlsa.42:6.    1 2  Cor.  3:5. 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    BELIEVEK's   ESP0T7SALS.  79 

Faith  acts  not  in  the  sense  of  sfrcngtli  and  might. 

But  in  the  sense  of  weakness  acts  outright. 

It  is  (no  boasting  arm  of  power  or  length) 

But  weakness  acting  on  almighty  strength/'^' 

It  is  the  powerless,  helpless  sinner's  flight 

Into  the  open  arms  of  saving  might: 

'Tia  an  employing  Jesus  to  do  all 

That  can  within  salvation's  compass  fall,' 

To  be  the  agent  kind  in  ev'ry  thing 

Belonging  to  a  prophet,  priest,  and  king; 

To  teach,  to  pardon,  sanctify,  and  save, 

And  nothing  to  tlie  creature's  power  to  leave. 

Faith  makes  us  joyfully  content  that  he 

Our  Head,  our  Husband,  and  our  All  should  be^ 

Our  righteousness  and  strength,  our  stock  and  store, 

Our  fund  for  food  and  raiment,  grace  and  glore. 

It  makes  the  creature  down  to  nothing  fall, 

Content  that  Christ  alone  be  all  in  all. 

The  plan  of  grace  is  faith's  delightful  view. 

With  which  it  closes,  both  as  good  and  true. 

Unto  the  truth  ihc  mind's  assent  is  (u]], 

Unto  the  good,  a  free  consenting  will. 

The  Holy  Spirit  here  the  agent  chief. 

Creates  this  faith,  and  dashes  unbelief. 

That  very  God  who  calls  us  to  believe, 

The  very  faith  he  seeks  must  also  give. 

Why  calls  he  then?  say  you.     Pray,  man,  be  wise; 

Why  did  he  call  dead  Lazarus  to  rise? 

Because  the  orders  in  their  bosom  bear 

Almighty  power  to  make  the  carcass  hear. 

But  Heaven  may  not  this  mighty  power  display. 
M;sttrue;  yet  still  thou  art  obliged  t'  obey. 
But  God  is  not  at  all  obliged  to  stretch  <.* 

His  saving  arm  to  such  a  sinful  wretch. 
All  who  within  salvation  rolls  have  place> 
Are  saved  by  a  prerogative  of  grace; 
But  vessels  all  that  shall  with  wrath  be  crammM, 
Are  by  an  act  of  holy  justice  damn'd, 
Take  then,  dear  soul,  as  from  a  friendly  heart. 
The  counsel  which  the  following  line3  impart.. 

»  2  Cor.  12:3 


90  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  I. 

Sect.  iv.  An  advice  to  sinners  to  apply  to  the  sovcrei;:^n  mercy 
of  God,  as  it  is  discovered  through  Christ,  to  the  highest  honor 
ofjustice,  and  other  divine  attributes,  in  order  to  further  their 
faith  in  him  unto  salvation. 

Go,  friend,  and  at  Jehovrdi's  footstool  bow; 
Thou  knowest  not  what  a  sov'reign  God  may  do. 
Confess,  if  he  commisserate  thy  case, 
'Twill  be  an  act  of  powerful  sov'reign  grace: 
Sequestrate  carefully  some  solemn  hours, 
To  shevv'  thy  grand  concern  in  secret  powers. 
Then  in  the  ensuing  strain  to  God  impart, 
And  pour  into  his  bosom  all  thy  heairf;. 
"  O  glorious,  gracious,  powerful,  sov'reign  Lord, 
"  Thy  help  unto  a  sinful  worsr^  afford; 
"  Who  from  my  wretched  birth  to  this  sad  hour 
"  Have  still  been  destitute  of  will  and  power 
-'  To  close  with  glorious  Chrisl;  yea  fill'd  with  spite  i 
"  At  thy  fair  darling,  and  thy  saints'  delight,  > 

"Resisting  all  his  grace  with  all  my  might.  y 

"  Come,  Lord,  and  sap  my  enmity's  strong  tov/er; 
"  O  haste  the  marriage  day,  the  day  of  power: 
"That  sweetly,  by  resistless  grace  inclia'd, 
"  My  once  reluctant  be  a  willing  mind. 
"  Thou  spak'st  to  being  ev'ry  thing  we  see, 
"  When  thy  almighty  will  said.  Let  it  he. 
"  Nothings  to  beings  in  a  moment  pass: 
"  Let  tho'e  be  light,  thou  saidst;  and  so  it  was.*' 
"  A  poys'erful  word  like  this,  a  migiity  call, 
"  Must  say.  Let  there  be  faitl),  and  then  it  shall. 
"  Thou  seck'st  my  faith  and  flight  from  sin  and  guilt; 
"Give  what  thou  seek'st,  Lord;  then  seek  what  thou  wilt. 
"  What  good  can  issue  fiom  a  root  so  ill? 
"  This  heart  of  mine's  a  wicked  lump  of  hell; 
"  'Twill  all  thy  common  motions  still  resist, 
"  Unless  with,  special  drawing  virtue  blest. 
"  Thou  call'st,  but  with  the  call  thy  power  convey;    ^ 
"Command  me  to  believe,  and  I'll  obey,  ^ 

"  Nor  any  more  thy  gracious  call  gainsay.  j 

"Command,  O  Lord,  cfTeclually  command,  ^ 

"  And  grant  I  be  not  able  to  withstand;  > 

"  Then  powerless  I  will  stretch  the  wither'd  hand,  j 

*  Gen.  1:  3. 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    BELIKVER's   ESPOtTSALS.  91 

"  I  to  thy  favor  can  pretend  no  claim, 
"  But  what  is  borrow'd  from  thy  glorious  name; 
"Which  though  most  justly  thou  may'st  glorify, 
•'  In  damning  such  a  guilty  wretch  as  me,     . 
'•  A  faggot  fitted  for  the  burning  fire 
"  Of  thine  incensed  everlasting  ire: 
"  Yet,  Lord,  since  now  I  hear  thy  glorious  Son, 
••  In  favor  of  a  race  that  was  undone, 
"Did  in  thy  name,  by  thy  authority, 
"  Once  to  the  full  stern  justice  satisfy; 
"  And  paid  more  glorious  tribute  thereunto 
"  Than  hell  and  all  ils  torments  e'er  can  do. 
"  Since  my  salvation  through  his  blood  can  raise  i 
"  A  revenue  to  justice'  highest  praise,  > 

"  Higher  than  rents,  Vvhich  hell  for  ever  pays:      > 
"  These  to  tremendous  justice  nevei  bring 
"  A  satisfaction  equal  and  condign. 
"  Hut  Jcsiis  our  once  dying  God  performs, 
"What  never  could  by  ever  dying  worms: 
"  Since  thus  tliy  thrcat'ning  huv  is  honoi'd  more 
"  Than  e'er  my  sins  aflVon'tcd  it  before: 
"  Since  justice  stern  may  grealer  glory  win, 
"  By  justifying  in  thy  darling  Son, 
"  Than  by  condemning  ev'n  the  rebel  me; 
"  To  this  device  of  wisdom,  lo!  I  flee. 
"  Let  justice,  Lord,  according  to  thy  wilj, 
"  Be  giorify'd  with  gloiy  great  and  full; 
"Not  now  in  hell  where  justice'  petty  pay 
"  Is  but  extorted  parcels  minc'd  for  aye: 
"  But  giorify'd  in  Christ,  who  down  has  told 
"The  total  sum  at  once  in  liquid  gold. 
"  In  lowest  hell  low  praise  is  only  won, 
"But  justice  has  the  highest  in  thy  Son; 
"  The  Sun  of  righteousness  that  set  in  red, 
•'  To  shev;  the  glorious  morning  would  succeed. 
*'  In  him  then  save  thou  me  from  sin  and  shame, 
"  And  to  the  highest  glorify  thy  name. 

"  Since  this  bright  scene  thy  glories  all  express, 
"  And  grace  as  empress  reigns  through  rightcovsness; 
*'  Since  mercy  fair  runs  in  a  crimson  flood, 
"  And  vents  through  justice  Siitisfying  blood: 


83  GCSPEI.   GOTTPJETJ.  PABT    I. 

"  Not  only  then  for  mercy's  sake  I  sue, 

"  But  for  the  glory  of  thy  justice  too. 

"  And  since  each  letter  of  thy  name  divine    ^ 

"  Has  in  fair  Jesus'  face  the  brightest  shine,  > 

"  This  glorious  Husband  be  forever  mine.      J 

"  On  this  strong  argument  so  sweet,  so  blest, 
"  With  thy  allowance,  Lord,  I  must  insist. 
'*  Great  God,  since  thou  allovvest  unworthy  me 
"  To  make  thy  glorious  name  my  humble  plea; 
"  No  glory  worthy  of  it  wilt  thou  gain,  > 

•'  By  casting  me  into  the  l-urning  main. 
"  My  feeble  back  can  never  suit  the  load, 
•*  That  speaks  thy  name  a  sin  revenging  God. 
"  Scarce  would  that  name  seem  a  consuming  fire 
"  Upon  a  worm  unworthy  of  thine  ire. 
"  liut  see  the  worthy  Lamb,  thy  chosen  Priest, 
•'  Vv'ith  jusiice'  burning  glass  against  his  breast, 
**  Contracting  all  the  beams  of  'vcnging  wrath, 
"  As  in  their  centre,  till  he  burn  to  death. 
"Vengeance  can  never  be  so  much  proclaim'd, 
"  By  scatter'd  beams  among  the  millions  damn'd. 
"Then,  Lord,  in  him,  me  to  the  utmost  save, 
"  And  thou  shalt  glory  to  the  hichest  have: 
"Glory  to  wisdo7n  that  contriv'd-so  well! 
"  Glory  to  power,  that  bore  and  bury'd  hell! 
"Glory  to  holiness,  which  sin  defac'd, 
"  With  sinless  service  now  divinely  grac'd! 
"Glory  to  justice''  sword  that  flarr/mg  stood, 
"Now  drunk  to  pleasure  with  atoning  blood! 
"  Glory  to  fn/ih,  th.-.t  now  in  scarlet  clad, 
"Has  seal'd  both  threats  and  promises  with  red! 
"  Glory  to  mercy,  now  in  pur])le  streams,  ^ 

"  So  sweetly  gliding  through  the  divine  flames  > 
•'Of  other  once  ofiended,  now  exalted  names!  ^ 
"  Each  attribute  conspires  with  joint  embrace,        1 
"  To  shew  its  sparkling  rays  in  Jesus'  face;  \ 

"  And  thus  to  deck  the  crown  of  matchless  grace.;} 
"But  to  thy  name  in  hell  ne'er  can  accrue 
"The  thousandth  part  of  this  great  revenue. 

"  O  ravishing  contrivance!  light  that  blinds 
"  Cherubic  gazers,  and  seraphic  mindsl 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    BELIEVEH's    ESPOUSALS.  88 

"  They  pry  into  tlie  deep,  and  love  to  learn 

•♦What  yet  should  vastly  more  be  my  concern. 

"  Lord,  once  my  hope  most  reasonless  could  dream 

"Of  heaven,  without  regard  to  thy  great  name: 

'*  But  here  is  laid  my  lasting  hope  to  found, 

"  A  highly  rational,  a  divine  groun;]. 

"  'Tis  reasonable,  I  expect  thoul't  take 

"The  way  that  most  will  for  thine  honor  make. 

"  Is  this  the  plan?  Lord,  let  me  build  my  claim 

"  To  life,  on  this  high  glory  of  thy  name. 

"  Nor  let  my  faithless  heart  or  think,  or  say, 

"  That  all  this  glory  shall  be  thrown  away 

"  In  my  perdition;  which  will  never  raise 

"  To  thy  great  name  so  vast  a  rent  of  praise. 

"  Othen  a  rebel  into  favor  take: 

"  Lord,  shield  and  save  mo  for  thy  glory's  sake. 

"  My  endless  ruin  is  not  worth  the  cost, 

"  Th'^.t  so  much  glory  be  for  ever  lost. 

"  I'll  of  the  greatest  sinner  bear  the  shame, 

"To  bring  the  greatest  honor  to  thy  name. 

"  Small  loss,  though  I  should  perish  endless  days, 

"  But  thousand  pities  grace  should  lose  the  praise. 

"O  hear,  Jehovah,  get  the  giory  then, 

"  And  to  my  supplication  say,  Ameh.^^ 

Sextt.  v.    The  terrible  doom  of  unbeHevcrs  and  rejecters  of  Christ, 
or  dcspisers  of  the  gospel. 

Thus,  sinner,  into  Jesus'  bosom  flee, 
Then  there  is  hope  in  Israel  sure  for  thee. 
Slight  not  the  call,  as  running  by  in  rhyme. 
Lest  thou  repent  for  aye,  if  not  in  time. 
'Tis  most  unlawful  to  contemn  and  shun 
All  wholesome  counsels  that  in  metre  r(m; 
Since  the  prime  fountains  of  the  sacred  writ 
Much  heav'nly  truth  in  holy  rhymes  transmit- 
If  this  don't  please,  yet  hence  it  is  no  crime 
To  versify  the  word,  and  preach  in  rhyme. 
But  in  whatever  moOld  the  doctrine  lies,  i 

Some  erring  minds  will  gospel  tiuth  despise  > 
Without  remeid,  till  Heav'n  anoint  their  eyes.  ^ 
These  lines  pretend  no  conqu'ring  art  nor  skill, 
But  shew,  in  weak  attempts^  a  strong  good  will 


84  GOSPEL   BONNETS.  PA 

To  mortify  all  native  legal  pride, 

And  court  the  Lamb  of  God  a  virgin  bride. 

If  he  thy  conjunct  match  be  never  given, 

Thou'rt  doom'd  to  hell  as  sure  as  God's  in  heaven. 

If  gospel  grace  and  goodness  don't  thee  draw, 

Thou  art  condemn'd  already  by  the  law. 

Yea,  hence  damnation  deep  will  doubly  brace, 

If  still  thy  heart  contemn  redeeming  grace. 

No  argument  from  fear  or  hope  M'ill  move, 

Or  draw  thy  heart,  if  not  the  bond  of  love; 

Nor  flowing  joys,  nor  flaming  tenors  chase 

To  Christ  the  hav'n  without  the  gales  of  grace. 

O  slighter,  then,  of  grace's  joyful  sound, 

Thou'rt  over  to  the  wrathful  ocean  bound. 

Anon  thou'lt  sink  into  the  gulf  of  woes, 

Whene'er  thy  wasting  hours  are  at  a  close; 

Thy  false  old  legal  hope  will  (hen  be  lost, 

And  with  thy  wretched  soul  give  up  the  ghost. 

Then  farewel  God  and  Christ,  and  grace  and  glore; 

Undone  thou  art,  undone  for  evermore, 

For  ever  sinking  undernealh  the  load 

And  pressure  of  a  sin  revcngingGod. 

The  sacred  awful  text  asserts,  "  To  fall 

"  Into  his  living  hands  is  fearful  thrall; 

"When  no  more  sacrifice  for  sin  remains,"* 

But  ever  living  wrath,  and  lasting  chains: 

Heav'n  still  upholding  life  in  dreadful  death, 

Still  throwing  down  hot  thunderbolts  of  wrath, 

As  full  of  terror,  and  as  manifold 

As  finite  vessels  of  his  wrath  can  hold. 

"  Then,  then  we  may  suppose  the  wretch  to  cry,  ) 
"  Oh,  if  this  damning  God  would  let  rnc  die,  \ 

*'  And  not  torment  me  to  eternity!  7 

"  Why  from  the  silent  womb  of  stupid  earth, 
"Did  Heav'n  awake,  and  push  me  into  birth? 
"  Curs'd  be  the  day  that  ever  gave  me  life; 
"  Curs'd  be  (he  cruel  parents,  man  and  wife, 
"  Means  of  my  being,  instruments  of  wo; 
"  For  now  I'm  damn'd,  I'm  damn'd,  and  always  so. 
**  Curs'd  be  the  day  that  ever  made  me  hear 
"  The  gospel  call  which  brought  salvation  near, 
»Heb.  10:29,31. 


nd.  ) 


CHAP.  VI.  THE    believer's   ESPOUSALS.  85 

"  The  endless  sound  of  slighted  mercy's  bell, 

"  Has  in  mine  ears  the  most  tormenting  knei. 

"Of  offer'd  grace  I  vain  repent  the  loss, 

"  The  joyful  sound  with  horror  recognosce. 

"  The  hollow  vault  reverberates  the  sound; 

*'  This  killing  echo  strikes  the  deepest  wound, 

"  And  with  too  late  remorse  does  now  confound. 

*'  Into  the  dung-eon  of  despair  I'm  lock'd, 

*'  Th'  once  open  door  of  hope  forever  block'd: 

*' Hopeless,  I  sink  into  the  dark  abyss, 

*'  Banish'd  forever  from  eternal  bliss. 

*'  In  boiling  waves  of  vengeance  must  I  lie? 

*'  O  could  I  curse  this  dreadful  God,  and  die! 

"  Infinite  years  in  torment  shall  I  spend, 

*'  And  never,  never,  never  at  an  end! 

"  Ah!  must  I  live  in  torturing  despair 

*'  As  many  years  as  atoms  in  the  air? 

*'  When  these  are  spent,  as  many  thousand  more 

"  As  grains  of  sand  that  crowd  the  ebbing  shore? 

"  When  these  are  done,  as  many  yet  behind 

*'  As  leaves  of  forest  shaken  with  the  wind? 

*'  When  these  are  gone,  as  many  to  ensue 

*'  As  stems  of  grass  on  hills  and  dales  that  grew? 

*'  When  these  run  out,  as  many  on  the  march 

*'  As  starry  lamps  that  gild  the  spangled  arch? 

*'  When  these  expire  as  many  millions  more 

"  As  moments  in  the  millions  past  before? 

*'When  all  these  doleful  years  are  spent  in  pain, 

"  And  multiply'd  by  myraids  again, 

"  Till  numbers  drown  the  thought;  could  I  suppose 

"  That  then  my  wretched  years  were  at  a  close, 

"  This  would  afFord  some  ease;  but,  ah!  I  shiver 

*'  To  think  upon  the  dreadful  sound,  forever! 

"  The  burning  gulf,  where  I  blaspheming  lie, 

"  Is  time  no  more,  but  vast  eternity. 

"  The  growing  torment  I  endure  for  sin, 

*'  Through  ages  all  is  always  to  begin. 

"  How  did  I  but  a  grain  of  pleasure  sow, 

*'  To  reap  an  harvest  of  immortal  wo? 

*'  Bound  to  the  bottom  of  the  burning  main, 

*'  Gnawing  my  chains,  I  wish  for  death  in  vain. 

8 


f^S  ©OSPEL  SONNETS.  PAHT   P.. 

"  Just  doom!  since  I  that  bear  the  eternal  load 

"  Contemn'd  the  death  of  an  eternal  God. 

"  Oh!  if  the  God  that  cars'd  roe  to  the  lash 

"  Would  bless  me  back  to  nothing  with  a  dash! 

''•'  But  hopeless,  I  the  just  avenger  hate, 

"  Blaspheme  the  wrathful  God,  and  curse  my  fate." 

To  these  this  word  of  terror  I  direct, 
Who  now  the  great  salvation  dare  neglect  * 
To  all  the  Christ  despising  multitude. 
That  trample  on  the  great  Redeemer's  blood 
That  see  no  beauty  in  his  glorious  face, 
But  slight  his  offers,  and  refuse  his  grace. 
A  messenger  of  wrath  to  none  I  am, 
But  those  that  hate  to  wed  the  worthy  Lamb» 
For  though  the  smallest  sins,  if  small  can  be^ 
Will  plunge  the  Christless  soul  in  misery: 
Yet,  lo!  tiie  greatest  that  to  mortals  cleave, 
Shan't  damn  the  souls  in  Jesus  that  believe; 
Because  they  on  the  very  method  fall 
That  well  can  make  amends  to  God  for  all. 
Whereas  proud  souls,  thro'  unbelief  won't  let 
The  glorious  God  a  reparation  get 
Of  all  his  lionor,  in  his  darling  Son, 
For  ail  the  great  dishonors  they  have  done.  , 

A  faithless  soul  the  glorious  God  bereaves 
Of  all  the  satisfaction  that  he  craves; 
Hence  under  divine  hottest  fury  lies, 
And  with  a  double  vengeance  justly  dies. 
The  blackest  part  of  Tjophet  is  their  place, 
Who  slight  the  tenders  of  redeeming  grace 
That  sacrilegious  monster  Unbelief, 
So  hard'ned  'gainst  remorse  and  pious  grief; 
Robs  God  of  all  the  glory  of  his  names, 
And  ev'ry  divine  attribute  defames. 
It  loudly  calls  the  truth  of  God  a  lie; 
The  God  of  truth  a  Ziar;f  horrid  cry! 
Doubts  and  denies  his  precious  words  of  grace^, 
Spits  venom  in  the  royal  Suitor's  face. 
This  monster  cannot  cease  all  sin  to  hatch, 
Because  it  proudly  mars  the  happy  match. 

*  Hebrews  2:3.  t  John  SdO. 


<«HAP.  VI.  THE  believer's   ESPOUSALS.  67 

As  each  law  wedded  soul  is  join'd  to  sin, 

And  destitute  of  holiness  within; 

So  all  that  wed  the  law,  must  wed  the  curse, 

Which  rent  they  scorn  to  pay  with  Christ's  full  purse. 

They  clear  may  read  thek  dreadful  doom  in  brief, 

Whose  fester'd  sore  is  final  unbelief; 

Though  to  the  law  their  life  exactly  fram'd,      ^ 

For  zealous  acts  and  passions  too  were  fam'd:    > 

Yet  lo!  He  that  believes  not,  shall  he  damn'd*  y 


But  now  "'tis  proper  on  the  other  side, 
With  words  of  comfort  to  address  the  bride. 
She  in  her  glorious  Husband  does  possess 
Adorning  grace,  acquitting  righteotisness: 
And  hence  to  her  pertain  the  golden  mines 
<0£  comfort  open'd  in  the  foU'wing  lines. 

*  John  3:18 


GOSPEL  SONNETS* 


PART    II. 
THE  BELIEVES'S  JOINTUREr 

OR, 

THE  POEM  CO]VTi:\UEI), 

Upon  Isaiah  54:5.     Thy  Maker  is  thy  Husbands 

N.  B.  The  following-  lines  being  primarily  intended  for  the  use  and 
edificatioQ  of  piously  exercised  soulSf  and  especially  those  of  a 
more  commen  and  ordinary  capacity;  tlie  author  thought  fit, 
through  the  whole  of  the  second  part  of  this  book,  to  continue,, 
as  in  the  former  editions,  to  repeat  tliat  part  of  the  text,  Thi^ 
Husband,  in  tlie  last  line  of  every  verse:  Because,  however  it 
tended  to  limit  him,  and  restrict  his  liberty  of  words  in  the  com- 
position, yet  having  groimd  to  judge,  tliat  this  appropriating 
appellation  still  resumed,  has  rendered  these  lines  formerly  the 
more  savory  to  some  exercised  Christians,  to  whom  the  name  of 
Christ  (particularly  as  tlieir  Head  and  Husband)  is  as  ointment 
POURED  forth:  He  chose  rather  to  subject  himself  to  that  re- 
striction, than  to  withhold  what  may  tend  to  the  satisfaction  and 
comfort  of  those  to  wliom  CHRIST  is  all  in  all;  and  to  whom 
his  name,  as  their  Husband,  so  many  various  ways  applied,  will 
be  no  nauseotis  repetition. 


CHAPTER  I.  A   ^ 

CONTAI]>rrNG  THE  PRIVILEGES  OF  THE  BELIEVER  THAT  I& 
ESPOUSED  TO  CHRIST  BY  FAITH  OF  DIVINE  OPERATlfeN. 

Section  u  The  believer'^s  perfect  beauty,  free  acceptance,  and 
full  security,  through  the  imputation  of  Christ's  perfect  righte- 
©usness,  though  imparted  grace  be  imperfecta      ^ 


O  HAPPY  soul,  Jehovah's  bride. 
The  Lamb's  beloved  spouse; 

Strong  consolation's  flowing  tide, 
Thy  Husband  thee  allows. 


CHAP.  I.  THE   BELIEVBR's  JqiNTURE.  89 

In  thee,  though  like  thy  father's  race, 

By  nature  black  as  hell, 
Yet  now,  so  beautifi'd  by  grace, 

Thy  Husband  loves  to  dwell. 

Fair  as  the  moon  thy  robes  appear, 

While  graces  are  in  dress; 
Clear  as  the  sun,*  while  found  to  wear 

Thy  Husband's  righteousness. 

Thy  moon-like  graces  changing  much, 

Have  here  and  there  a  spot; 
Thy  sun-like  glory  is  not  such. 

Thy  Husband  chemges  not. 

Thy  white  and  ruddy  vesture  fair 

Outvies  the  rosy  leaf; 
For  'mong  ten  thousand  beauties  rare 

Thy  Husband  is  the  chief. 

Cloth'd  with  the  sun,  thy  robes  of  light 

The  morning  rays  outshine; 
The  lamps  of  heav'n  are  not  so  bright. 

Thy  Husband  decks  thee  fine. 

Though  hellish  smoke  thy  duties  stain, 

And  sin  deform  thee  quite; 
Thy  Surety's  merit  makes  thee  clean, 

Thy  Husband's  beauty  white. 

Thy  prayers  and  tears,  nor  pure,  nor  good, 

But  vile  and  loathsome  seem; 
Yet  gain,  by  dipping  in  his  blood, 

Thy  Husband's  high  esteem. 

No  fear  thou  starve,  though  wants  be  great. 

In  him  thou  art  compl€te:1[ 
Thy  hungry  soul  may  hopeful  wait, 

Thy  Husband  gives  thee  meat. 

Thy  money,  merit,  power  and  pelfs 

Were  squandered  by  thy  fall; 
Yet  having  nothing  in  thyself, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  all. 

"1^    .       *  Song  6:10.  t  Col,  2:10. 

8* 


■i^    ■      <".  r 


90  60SPSL   SONNETSr  PAST  H. 

Law  prec^tes  threats,  may  both  beset 

To  crave  of  thee  their  due; 
But  justice  for  thy  double  debt 

Thy  Husband  did  pursue.  V 

Though  justice  stern  as  much  belong 

As  mercy  to  a  Godj 
Yet  justice  sufFer'd  here  no  wrong. 

Thy  Husband's  back  was  broad» 

He  bore  the  load  of  wrath  alone, 

That  mercy  might  take  vent; 
Heaven's  pointed  arrows  all  upon 

Thy  Husband's  heart  were  spent. 

No  partial  pay  could  justice  still,. 

No  farthing  was  retrenchM; 
Vengeance  exacted  all,  until 

Thy  Husband  all  advanc'd» 

He  paid,  in  liquid  golden  red. 

Each  mite  the  law  requir'd. 
Till  with  a  loud  ^Tis  finished,* 

Thy  Husband's  breath  expir'd. 

No  process  mor«  the  law  can  tent; 

Thou  stand'st  within  its  verge, 
And  may'st  with  pleasure  now  present 

Thy  Husband's  full  discharge. 

Though  new  contracted  guilt  beget 

New  feaics  of  divine  ire: 
Yet  fear  thou  not,  though  drown'd  in  debt. 

Thy  Husband  is  the  payer. 

God  might  in  rigor  thee  indict 

Of  highest  crimes  and  flaws: 
But  on  thy  head  no  curse  can  light. 

Thy  Husband  is  the  cause. 

*  John  19:30. 


CHAP.  I.  THE    believer's   JOINTURET.  ,91 

Sect,  h.    Christ  the  believer's  friend,  prophet,  priest,  king,  de- 
fence, guide,  guard,  help  and  healer. 

Dear  soul,  when  all  the  human  race 

Lay  welt'ring  in  their  gore, 
Vast  numbers  in  that  dismal  case, 

Thy  Husband  passed  o'er. 

But  pray,  why  did  he  thousands  pass^ 

And  set  his  heart  on  thee? 
The  deep,  the  searchless  reason  was, 

Thy  Husband's  love  is  free. 

The  forms  of  favor,  names  of  grace, 

An^l  offices  of  love, 
He  bears  for  thee,  with  open  face 

Thy  Husband's  kindness  prove. 

'Gainst  darkness  black,  and  error  blindy 

Thou  hast  a  sun  and  shield;* 
And  to  reveal  the  Father's  mind, 

Thy  Husband's  Prophet  seal'd,  ' 

He  likewise  to  procure  thy  peace. 

And  save  from  sin's  arrest. 
Resign '^'l  himself  a  sacrifice; 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  Priest. 

And  that  he  might  thy  will  subject. 

And  sweetly  captive  bring, 
Thy  sins  subdue,  his  throne  erect. 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  King, 

Though  numerous  and  assaulting  foes, 

Thy  joyful  peace  may  mar, 
And  thou  a  thousand  battles  lose, 

Thy  Husband  wins  the  war. 

Hell's  forces,  which  thy  mind  appal, 

His  arm  can  soon  dispatch: 
How  strong  soe'er,  yet  for  them  all 

Thy  Husband's  more  than  match^ 

*  Psalm  84:11, 


92  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAKT  II. 

Though  secret  lusts,  with  hid  contest, 

By  heavy  groans  reveal'd, 
And  devils  rage;  yet  do  their  best, 

Thy  Husband  keeps  the  field. 

When,  in  desertion's  evening  dark, 

Thy  steps  are  apt  to  slide. 
His  conduct  seek,  his  counsel  mark; 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  guide. 

In  doubts,  renouncing  self-conceit, 

His  word  and  Spirit  prize: 
He  never  counselled  wrong  as  yet, 

Thy  Husband  is  so  wise. 

When  weak,  thy  refuge  seest  at  hand, 

Yet  cannot  run  the  length; 
'Tis  present  power  to  understand 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  strength. 

When  shaking  storms  annoy  thy  heart. 

His  word  commands  a  calm: 
Of  bleeding  wounds  to  ease  the  smart, 

Thy  Husband's  blood  is  balm. 

Trust  creatures  nor  to  help  thy  thrall, 

Nor  to  assuage  thy  grief: 
Use  means,  but  look  beyond  them  all; 

Thy  Husband's  thy  relief. 

If  Heaven  prescribes  a  bitter  drug, 

Fret  not  with  froward  will; 
This  carriage  may  thy  cure  prorogue; 

Thy  Husband  wants  not  skill. 

He  sees  the  sore,  he  knows  the  cure 

Will  most  adapted  be; 
'Tis  then  most  reasonable,  sure, 

Thy  Husband  choose  for  thee. 

Friendship  is  in  his  chastisements, 

And  favor  in  his  frowns; 
Thence  judge  not  then  in  heavy  plaints. 

Thy  Husband  thee  disowns: 


OHAP.  I.  THE  believer's  JOINTURE.  9S 

The  .deeper  his  sharp  lancet  go 

In  ripping  up  thy  wound, 
The  more  thy  healing  shall  unto 

Thy  Husband's  praise  redound. 


Sect.  hi.    Christ  the  believer's  wonderful  physician,  and 
wealthy  friend. 

Kind  Jesus  empties  whom  he'll  fill, 

Casts  down  whom  he  will  raise; 
He  quickens  whom  he  seems  to  kill; 

Thy  Husband  thus  gets  praise. 

When  awful  rods  are  in  his  hand, 

There's  mercy  in  his  mind;  ' 

When  clouds  upon  his  brow  do  stand. 
Thy  Husband's  heart  is  kind. 

In  various  changes  to  and  fro, 

He'll  ever  constant  prove; 
Nor  can  his  kindness  come  and  go^' 

Thy  Husband's  name  is  Love. 

His  friends  in  most  afflicted  lot 

His  favor  must  have  felt; 
For  when  they're  tri'd  in  furnace  hot. 

Thy  Husband's  bowels  melt. 

When  he  his  bride  or  wounds,  or  heals. 
Heart  kindness  does  him  move; 

And  wraps  in  frowns  as  well  as  smiles. 
Thy  Husband's  lasting  love. 

In  's  hand  no  cure  could  ever  fail. 

Though  of  a  hopeless  state, 
He  can  in  desp'rate  cases  heal, 

Thy  Husband's  art 's  so  great. 

The  medicine  he  did  prepare, 

Can't  fail  to  work  for  good: 
O  balsam  powerful,  precious,  rare^ 

Thy  Husband's  sacred  blood: 


94  GOSPEL   60NKETS.  PART   II. 

Which  freely  from  his  broached  breast 

Gush'd  out  like  pent  up  fire. 
His  cures  are  best,  his  wages  least, 

Thy  Husband  takes  no  hire. 

Thou  hast  no  worth,  no  might,  no  good, 

His  favor  to  procure: 
But  see  his  store,  his  power,  his  blood! 

Thy  Husband's  never  poor. 

Himself  he  humbled  wond'rously 

Once  to  the  lowest  pitch. 
That  bankrupts  through  his  poverty 

Thy  Husband  might  enrich. 

His  treasure  is  more  excellent 

Than  hills  of  Ophir  gold: 
In  telling  stores  were  ages  s})ent, 

Thy  Husband's  can't  be  told. 

All  things  that  fly  on  wings  of  fame, 

Compar'd  with  these  are  dross; 
Thy  searchless  riches  in  his  name, 

Thy  Husband  doth  engross. 

The  great  Immanuel,  God-man, 

Includes  such  store  divine; 
Angels  and  saints  will  never  scan 

Thy  Husband's  golden  mine. 

He's/w/Z  of  grace  and  truth*  indeed, 

Of  Spirit^  merit,  mi^t; 
Of  all  the  wealth  that  bankrupts  need 

Thy  Husband's  heir  by  right. 

Tho'  heav'n's  his  throne,^  he  came  from  thence. 

To  seek  and  save  the  lost;^ 
Whatever  be  the  vast  expense. 

Thy  Husband's  at  the  cost. 

Pleas'd  to  expend  each  drop  of  blood 

That  fill'd  his  royal  veins. 
He  frank  the  sacred  victim  stood; 

Thy  Husband  spar'd  no  pains. 

♦John  1:14,    -t  John  3:34.    tlsa.66:l.    §  Luke  19:10 


CHAP.  I.  THE   believer's   JOINTURE.  95 

His  cost  immense  was  in  thy  place; 

Thy  freedom  cost  his  thrall; 
Thy  glory  cost  him  deep  disgrace, 

Thy  Husband  paid  for  all. 

Sect,  iv-    The  believer's  safety  under  the  covert  of  Christ's  atoning 
blood,  and  powerful  intercession. 

When  Heav'n  proclaim'd  hot  war  and  wrath, 

And  sin  increas'd  the  strife; 
By  rich  obedience  unto  death, 

Thy  Husband  bought  thy  life. 

The  charges  could  not  be  abridg'd, 

But  on  these  noble  terms; 
Which  all  that  prize,  are  hugg'd  amidst 

Thy  Husband's  folded  arms. 

When  law  condemns,  and  justice  too 

To  prison  would  thee  hale; 
As  sureties  kind  for  bankrupts  do, 

Thy  Husband  oifers  bail. 

God  on  these  terms  is  reconcil'd. 

And  thou  his  heart  hast  won: 
In  Christ  thou  art  his  favor'd  child, 

Thy  Husband  is  his  Son. 

Vindictive  wrath  is  whole  appeas'd, 

Thou  need  not  then   be  mov'd; 
In  Jesus  always  he's  well  pleas'd^ 

Thy  Husband's  his  Beloved.* 

What  can  be  laid  unto  thy  charge, 

When  God  does  not  condemn? 
Bills  of  complaint,  though  foes  enlarge, 

Thy  Husband  answers  them. 

When  fear  thy  guilty  mind  confounds, 

Full  comfort  this  may  yield; 
Thy  ransom  bill  with  blood  and  wounds, 

Thy  Husband  kind  has  seal'd. 

His  promise  is  the  fair  extract 
Thou  hast  at  hand  to  show; 

*Matth.3:17. 


96  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    II. 

Stern  justice  can  no  more  exact, 
Thy  Husband  paid  its  due. 

No  terms  he  left  thee  to  fulfil. 

No  clog  to  mar  thy  faith; 
His  bond  is  sign'd,  his  latter  will 

Thy  Husband  seal'd  by  death. 

The  great  condition  of  the  band 

Of  promise  and  of  bliss, 
Is  wrought  by  him,  and  brought  to  hand, 

Thy  Husband's  righteousness. 

When  therefore  press'd  in  time  of  need, 

To  sue  the  promis'd  good. 
Thou  hast  no  more  to  do  but  plead 

Thy  Husband's  sealing  blood. 

This  can  thee  more  to  God  commend, 

And  cloudy  wrath  dispel. 
Than  e'er  thy  sinning  could  offend; 

Thy  Husband  vanquish'd  hell. 

When  vengeance  seems,  for  broken  laws, 

To  light  on  thee  with  dread; 
Let  Christ  be  umpire  of  thy  cause, 

Thy  Husband  well  can  plead. 

He  pleads  his  righteousness  that  brought 

All  rents  the  law  could  crave; 
Whate'er  its  precepts,  threat'nings,  sought, 

Thy  Husband  fully  gave. 

Did  holiness  in  precepts  stand, 

And  for  perfection  call, 
Justice  in  threat'nings  death  demandl 

Thy  Husband  gave  it  all. 

His  blood  the  fiery  law  did  quench, 

Its  summons  need  not  scar: 
Though  't  cite  thee  to  Heaven's  awful  bench. 

Thy  Husband's  at  the  bar. 

This  Advocate  has  much  to  say, 

His  clients  need  not  fear; 
For  God  the  Father  hears  him  aye, 

Thy  Husband  hath  his  eajf. 


CHAP.  I.  THE   believer's   JOINTUKB  W 

A  cause  fail'd  never  in  his  hand, 

So  strong  his  pleading  is; 
His  Father  grants  his  whole  demand. 

Thy  Husband's  will  is  his. 

Hell-forces  all  may  rendezvous. 

Accusers  may  combine; 
Yet  fear  thou  not  who  art  his  spouse. 

Thy  Husband's  cause  is  thine. 

By  solemn  oath  Jehovah  did 

His  priesthood  ratify: 
Let  earth  and  hell  then  counterplead, 

Thy  Husband  gains  the  plea. 

-IBect.  t.     The  Believer's  Faith  and  Hope  encouraged,  even  ia  the 
darkest  nights  of  desertion  and  distress. 

The  cunning  serpent  may  accuse. 

But  never  shall  succeed; 
The  ^od  of  peace  trill  Satan  bruiscy 

Thy  Husband  broke  his  head.* 

Hell  furies  threaten  to  devour, 

Like  lions  robb'd  of  whelps": 
But,  lo!  in  every  per'lous  hour. 

Thy  Husband  always  helps. 

That  feeble  faith  may  never  fail, 

Thine  Advocate  has  pray'd; 
Though  winnowing  tempests  may  assail. 

Thy  Husband^s  near  to  aid. 

Though  grievous  trials  grow  apace, 

And  put  thee  to  a  stand; 
Thou  may'st  rejoice  in  every  case. 

Thy  Husband's  help  at  hand. 

Trust  thou  when  in  desertion  dark. 

No  twinkling  star  by  night, 
No  ray  apjTear,  no  glimm'ring  spark; 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  light. 

His  beams  anon  the  clouds  can  rent. 
And  through  the  vapors  run; 

*  Rom.  16:20. 


^9  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  II. 

For  of  the  brightest  firmament, 
Thy  Husband  is  the  Sun. 

Without  the  Sun  who  mourning  go, 

And  scarce  the  way  can  find, 
He  brings  through  paths  they  do  not  know;* 

Thy  Husband  'e-ds  the  Mind. 

Through  fire  and  icater  he  with  skill. 

Brings  to  a  wealthy  land; 
Rude  flames  and  roaring  floods,  be  stilly 

Thy  Husband  can  command. 

When  sin  disorders  heavy  brings, 

That  press  thy  soul  with  weight; 
Then  mind  how  many  crooked  things 

Thy  Husband  has  made  straight. 

Still  loek  to  him  with  longing  eyes, 
Tliough  both  thine  eyes  should  failj 

Cry,  and  at  length,  though  not  thy  cries^ 
Thy  Husband  shall  prevail. 

Still  hope  for  favor  at  his  hand, 

Though  favor  don't  appear; 
When  help  seems  most  aloof  to  standi 

Thy  Husband's  then  most  near. 

In  cases,  hopeless-like,  faint  hopes 

May  fail,  and  fears  annoy; 
But  most  when  stript  of  earthly  props. 

Thy  Husband  thou'lt  enjoy. 

1/  providence  the  promise  thwart, 

And  yet  thy  humbled  mind 
^Gainst  flope  believes  in  hope,^  thou  art. 

Thy  Husband's  dearest  friend- 
Art  thou  a  weakling,  poor  and  faint, 

In  jeopardy  each  hour? 
Let  not  thy  weakness  move  thy  plamt, 

Thy  Husband  has  the  power. 

Dread  not  the  foes  #iat  foil'd  thee  long. 
Will  ruin  thee  at  length; 

*  Isa,  43:19.  t  Rom.  6:18. 


CHAP,  I.  THE    BELFEVER's    JOINTURE.  '5S> 

When  thou  art  weak,  then  art  thou  strong; 
Thy  Htisbarjd  is  thy  strength. 

When  foes  are  mighty,  many  too, 

Don't  fear  nor  quit  the  field; 
'Tis  not  with  thee  they  have  to  do, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  shield. 

'Tis  hard  to  fight  against  an  host, 

Qr  strive  against  the  stream; 
But  lo!  when  all  seems  to  be  lost, 

Thy  Husband  will  redeem. 

Sect.  vi^     Benefits  accruing  to  Believers,  from  the  offices,  names, 
natures,  and  sufferings  of  Christ 

Art  thou  by  lusts  a  captive  Jed, 

Which  breeds  thy  deepest  grief? 
To  ransome  captives  is  his  trade, 

Thy  Husband's  thy  relief. 

His  precious  name  is  Jesus,  why? 

Because  he  saves  from  sin?* 
Redemption  right  he  won't  deny 

Thy  Husband'^s  near  of  kin. 

His  wounds  have  sav'd  thee  once  from  woes, 
His  blood  from  vengeance  screen'd; 

When  heav'n  and  earth,  and  hell  were  foes, 
Thy  husband  was  a  friend: 

And  will  thy  Captain  now  look  on, 

And  see  thee  trampled  down; 
When,  lo!  thy  Champion  has  the  throne, 

Thy  Husband  wears  the  crown. 

Yield  not,  though  cunning  Satan  bribe 

Or  like  a  lion  roar; 
The  Lion  strcng  of  Judali's  tribe, 

Thy  Husband's  to  the  fore- 

And  that  he  never  will  forsake;^ 

His  credit  fairrJie  pawn'd; 
In  hottest  broils,  then  courage  take. 

Thy  Husband's  at  thy  hand. 

»Matth.l:12.  tHebia:5. 


100  GOSPKL  SONNKTS.  PAST  U^ 

No  storm  needs  drive  thee  to  a  strait. 

Who  dost  his  aid  invoke: 
Fierce  winds  may  blow,  proud  waves  may  beat^ 

Thy  Husband  is  the  rock. 

Renounce  thine  own  ability. 

Lean  to  his  promis'd  might; 
The  strength  of  Isra'l  cannot  lie. 

Thy  Husband's  pow'r  is  plight! 

An  awful  truth  does  here  present. 

Whoever  think  it  odd; 
In  him  thou  art  omnipotent. 

Thy  Husband  is  a  God. 

Jehovah's  strength  is  in  thy  H^eaii,^ 

Which  faith  may  boldly  scan; 
God  in  thy  nature  does  reside. 

Thy  Husband  is  a  man. 

Thy  flesh  is  his,  his  Spirit  thinef 

And  that  you  both  are  one, 
One  body,  spirit,  temple,  vine,. 

Thy  Husband  deigns  to  own. 

Kind,  he  assum'd  thy  flesh  and  blood 

This  union  to  pursue; 
And  without  eharae  his  brotherhood 

Thy  Husband  does  avow.. 

He  bore  the  cross  thy  crown  to  win»^ 

His  blood  he  freely  spilt; 
The  holy  One  assuming  sin, 

Thy  Husband  bore  the  guilt. 

Lo!  what  a  bless'd  exchange  is  this 

What  wisdom  shines  therein! 
That  thou  might'st  he  made  righteousnestr 

Thy  Husband  was  made  sin.* 

The  God  of  joy,  a  man  of  grief, 

Thy  sorrows  to  discuss; 
Pure  innocence  hang'd  as  a  thiefi 

Thy  Husband  lov'd  thee  thus.. 

»  2  Cor.  5-.2L 


■eHAP.  I.  THE   believer's    JOINTtTRB.  101 

Brig-ht  beauty  had  his  visage  mavr'd. 

His  comely  form  abus'd, 
True  rest  was  from  all  rest  debarr'd. 

Thy  Husband's  heel  was  bruis'd. 

The  God  of  blessings  was  a  curse, 

The  Lord  of  lords  a  drudge, 
The  heir  of  all  things  poor  in  purse: 

Thy  Husband  did  not  grudge. 

The  Judge  of  all  condemned  was, 

The  God  immortal  slain: 
No  favor,  in  thy  woful  cause 

Thy  Husband  did  obtain. 

'&:cT.  VII.  Christ's  Sufferings  further  improved,  and  Believers 
called  to  live  by  Faith,  both  when  they  have  and  want  sensible 
influences. 

Loud  praises  sing,  without  surcease, 

To  him  that  frankly  came. 
And  give  his  soul  a  sacrifice; 

Thy  Husband  w^as  the  Lamb. 

What  waken'd  vengeance  could  denounce, 

AM  round  him  did  beset; 
And  never  left  his  soul,  till  once 

Thy  Husband  paid  the  debt. 

And  though  new  debt  thou  Still  contract, 

And  run  in  d^ep  arrears; 
Yet  all  thy  burdens  on  his  back 

Thy  Husband  always  bears. 

Thy  judge  will  ne'er  demand  of  thee 

Two  payments  for  one  debt; 
Thee  with  one  victim  wholly  fiee 

Thy  Husband  kindly  set. 

That  no  grim  vengeance  might  thee  meet, 

Thy  Husband  met  with  all; 
And,  that  thy  soul  may  drink  the  sweet 

Thy  Husband  drank  the  gall. 

Full  breasts  of  joy  he  loves  t'  extend 
Like  to  a  kindly  nurse; 


^02  oospEL  sonnets;  part  II. 

And,  that  thy  bliss  might  full  be  gain'd, 
Thy  Husband  was  a  curse. 

Thy  sins  he  glu'd  unto  the  tree. 

His  blood  this  virtue  hath; 
For,  that  thy  heart  to  sin  might  die,. 

Thy  Husband  suffer'd  death. 

To  purchase  fully  all  thy  good, 

All  evil  him  befel; 
To  win  thy  heav'n  with  streams  of  bloody 

Thy  Husband  quenched  hell. 

That  this  kind  day's  man  in  one  band 

Might  God  and  man  betroth, 
He  on  both  parties  lays  his  hand., 

Thy  husband  pleases  both. 

The  blood  that  could  stern  justice  please,- 

And  law  demands  fulfil, 
Can  also  guilty  conscience  ease; 

Thy  Husband  clears  the  bill. 

Thy  highest  glory  is  obtain'd 

By  his  abasement  deep; 
And  that  thy  tears  might  all  be  drain'di. 

Thy  Husband  chose  to  weep. 

His  bondage  all  thy  freedom  bought. 

He  stoop'd  so  lowly  down; 
His  grappling  all  thy  grandeur  brought^ 

Thy  Husband's  cross  thy  crown. 

'Tis  by  his  shock  thy  sceptre  sways; 

His  warfare  ends  thy  strife; 
His  poverty  thy  wealth  conveys, 

Thy  Husband's  death  thy  life. 

Do  mortal  damps  invade  thy  heart. 

And  deadness  seize  thee  sore? 
Rejoice  in  this,  that  life  t'  impart 

Thy  Husband  has  in  store. 

And  when  new  life  imparted  seems 

Establish'd  as  a  rock. 
Boast  in  the  fountain,  not  the  streams. 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  stock. 


CHAP.  I.  THE   BELIEVEK's    JOINTURE.  103 

The  streams  may  take  a  various  turn, 

The  fountain  never  moves: 
Cease  then,  o'er  failing  strean)s  to  mourn, 

Thy  Husband  thus  thee  proves. 

That  glad  thou  may'st,  when  drops  are  gone, 

Joy  in  the  spacious  sea: 
When  incomes  fail,  then  still  upon 

Thy  Husband  keep  thine  eye. 

But  can't  thou  look,  nor  moan  thy  strait,, 

So  dark's  the  dismal  hour? 
Yet  as  thouVt  able,  cry  and  wait 

Thy  Husband's  day  of  pow'r. 

Tell  him  though  sin  prolong  the  term. 

Yet  love  can  scarce  delay: 
Thy  want,  his  promise,  all  affirm, 

Thy  Husband  must  not  stay. 

Sect.  viii.    Christ  the  Believer's  enri'diing  Treasore.- 

Kind  Jesus  lives,  thy  life  to  be 

Who  mak'st  him  thy  refuge; 
And  when  he  comes,  thou'lt  joy  to  see 

Thy  Husband  shall  be  judge. 

Should  passing  tioubles  thee  annoy, 

Without,  within,  or  both? 
Since  endless  life  thou'lt  then  enjoy ,^ 

Thy  Husband  pledgM  his  troth. 

What  won't  he,  even  in  time,  impart 

Tliat's  for  thy  real  gool? 
He  gave  his  love,  he  gave  his  heart, 

Thy  Husband  gave  his  blood. 

He  gives  himself,  and  what  should  moreT 

What  can  he  then  refuse? 
If  this  won't  please  thee,  ah !  how  sore 

Thy  Husband  dost  abuse! 

Earth's  fruit,  heav'n's  dew  he  won't  deny^ 

Whose  eyes  thy  need  behold: 
Nought  under  or  above  the  sky 

Thy  Husband  will  withhold. 


104  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  II. 

Do  losses  grieve?     Since  all  is  thine, 

What  loss  can  thee  befal? 
All  things  for  good  to  thee  combine,* 

Thy  Husband  orders  all. 

Thou'rt  not  put  off  with  barren  leaves, 

Or  dung  of  earthly  pelf; 
More  wealth  than  heav'n  and  earth  he  gives, 

Thy  Husband's  thine  himself. 

Thou  hast  enough  to  stay  thy  plaint, 

Else  thou  complain'st  of  ease; 
For,  having  all,  don't  speak  of  want, 

Thy  Husband  may  suffice. 

From  this  thy  store,  believing,  take 

Wealth  to  the  utmost  pitch: 
The  gold  of  Ophir  cannot  make, 

Thy  Husband  makes  thee  rich. 

Some  flying  gains  acquire  by  pains, 

And  some  by  plund'ring  toil; 
Such  treasure  fades,  but  thine  remains, 

Thy  Husband's  cannot  spoil. 

Sect.  ix.    Christ  the  Believer's  adorning  Garment. 
Yea,  thou  excell'st  in  rich  attire 

The  lamp  that  lights  the  globe; 
Thy  sparkling  garment  heav'ns  admire, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  robe. 

This  raiment  never  waxeth  old, 

'Tis  always  new  and  clean; 
From  summer  heat,  and  winter  cold, 

Thy  Husband  can  thee  screen. 

All  who  the  name  of  worthies  bore, 

Since  Adam  was  undrest, 
No  worth  acquir'd,  but  as  they  wore 

Thy  Husband's  purple  vest. 

This  linen  fine  can  beautify 

The  soul  with  sin  begirt; 
O  bless  his  name,  that  e'er  on  thee 

Thy  Husband  spread  his  skirt. 
*  Romans  8:  28. 


CHAP.  I.  THE.  BELIEVER *S    JOINTTJRff.  10& 

Are  dunghills  deck'd  with  flowery  glore,. 

Which  SoIomon^s  outvie? 
Sure  thine  is  infinitely  more, 

Thy  Husband  decks  the  &ky» 

Thy  hands  could  never  work  the  dress^ 

By  grace  alone  thou'rt  gay; 
Grace  vents  and  reigns  through  righteousness^ 

Thy  Husband's  bright  array. 

To  spin  thy  robe  no  more  dost  need 

Than  lilies  toil  for  theirs; 
Out  of  his  bowels  every  thread 

Thy  Husband  thine  prepares. 

Sect.  x.     Christ  the  Believer's  sweet  Nourisbraeni.. 

Thy  food  confornrv  to  thine  array 

Is  heav'nly  and  divine; 
On  pastures  green,  where  angels  play> 

Thy  Husband  feeds  thee  fine. 

Anoelic  food  may  make  thee  fair,. 

And  look  with  cheerful  face: 
The  bread  of  life,  the  double  share. 

Thy  Husband's  love  and  grace. 

What  can  he  give  or  thou  desire, 

More  than  his  flesh  and  blood? 
Let  angels  wonder,  saints  admire,. 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  food. 

His  flesh  the  incarnation  bears 

From  whence  thy  feeding  flows; 
His  blood  the  satisfaction  clears 

Thy  Husband  both  bestows. 

The  incarnate  God  a  sacrifice 

To  turn  the  wrathful  tide. 
Is  food  for  failh  that  may  sutfice 

Thy  Husband's  guilty  bride. 

This  strength'ning  food  may  fit  and  fence 

For  work  and  war  to  come; 
Till  through  the  cloud,  some  moments  hence^ 

Thy  Husband  brings  thee  liouie* 


106  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   II. 

Where  plenteous  feasting  will  succeed 

To  scanty  feeding  here: 
And  joyful,  at  the  table  head 

Thy  Husband  fair  appear. 

The  crumbs  to  banquets  will  give  place, 

And  drops  to  rivers  new: 
While  heart  and  eye  will  face  to  face 

Thy  Husband  ever  view. 


CHAPTER   II. 

CONTAINING  THE  MARKS  AND  CHARACTERS  OF  THE 
BELIEVER  IN  CHRIST;  TOGETHER  WITH  SOME  FAR- 
THER PRIVILEGES  AND  GROUNDS  OF  COMFORT  TO 
THE    SAINTS. 

Section  i.  Doubting  Believers  called  to  examine,  by  marks 
drawn  from  their  love  to  him  and  his  presence,  their  view 
of  his  glory,  and  their  being  emptied  of  self-righteousness, 
&c. 

Good  news!  but,  says  the  drooping  bride, 

Ah!  what's  all  this  to  me? 
Thou  doubt'st  thy  right  when  shadows  hide 

Thy  Husband's  face  from  thee. 

Through  sin  and  guilt  thy  spirit  faints. 

And  trembling  fears  thy  fate; 
But  harbor  not  thy  groundless  plaints. 

Thy  Husband's  advent  wait. 

Thou  sobb'st,  "  O  were  I  sure  he's  mine, 
"  This  would  give  gladd'ning  ease;" 

And  say'st,  Though  wants  and  woes  combine, 
Thy   Husband  would  Ihee  please. 

But  up  and  down,  and  seldom  clear, 

Enclos'd  with  hellish  routs; 
Yet  yield  thou  not,  nor  foster  fear; 

Thy  Husband  hates  thy  doubts. 

Thy  cries  and  tears  may  slighted  seem. 
And  barr'd  from  present  ease; 


CHAP.  n.  THE    believer's    JOINTURE.  107 

Yet  blame  thyself,  but  never  dream 
Thy  Husband's  ill  to  please. 

Thy  jealous,  unbelieving  heart, 
Still  droops,  and  knows  not  wh^; 

Then  prove  thyself  to  ease  thy  smart,  ■ 

Thy  Husband  bids  thee  try. 

The  following  questions  put  to  thee, 

As  scripture  marks,  may  tell 
And  shew,  whale'er  thy  failings  be, 

Thy  Husband  loves  thee  well. 

MARES. 

Art  thou  content  when  he's  away! 

Can  earth  allay  thy  pants?  .* 

If  conscience  witness,  won't  it  say,.^  * 

Thy  Husband's  all  thou  want'st? 

When  he  is  near,  (though  in  a  cross,) 

And  thee  with  comfort  feeds; 
Dost  thou  not  count  the  earth  as  dross, 

Thy  Husband  all  thou  needs? 

In  duties  art  thou  pleas'd  or  pain'd, 

When  far  he's  out  of  view? 
And  finding  him,  think'st  all  regained, 

Thy  Husband's  always  new. 

Though  once  thou  thought'st,  while  Sinai  mist. 

And  darkness  compass'd  thee, 
Thou  wast  undone;  and  glorious  Christ 

Thy  Husband  ne'er  would  be; 

Yet  knowest  thou  not  a  fairer  place, 

Of  which  it  may  be  told, 
That  there  the  glory  of  his  grace 

Thy  Husband  did  unfold? 

Where  heav'nly  beams  inflam'd  thy  soul. 

And  love's  seraphic  art, 
With  hallelujahs  did  extol 

Thy  Husband  in  thy  heart. 

Could'st  then  have  wish'd  all  Adam's  race 
Had  join'd  with  thee  to  gaze; 


1^8  COSPEL   SONNETS.  PABT  U. 

That  viewing  fond  his  comely  face, 
Thy  Husband  might  get  praise? 

Art  thou  disjoin'd  from  other  lords? 

Divorc'd  from  fed'ral  laws? 
While  with  most  loving  gospel  cords 

Thy  Ilusbcind  kindly  draws? 

A'n't  thou  enlighten'd  now  to  see 

Thy  righteousness  is  naught 
But  RAGS,*  that  cannot  cover  thee? 

Thy  Husband  so  has  taught. 

Dost  see  thy  best  performances 

Deserve  but  hell  indeed? 
And  hence  art  led,  renouncing  these, 

Thy- Husband's  blood  to  plead? 

When  strengthen'd  boldly  to  address 

That  gracious  throne  of  his. 
Dost  find  thy  strength  and  righteousness, 

Thy  Husband  only  is? 

Canst  thou  thy  most  exalted  frame 

Renounce,  as  with'ring  grass. 
And  firmly  hold  thine  only  claim, 

Thy  Husband's  worthiness. 

Can'st  pray  with  utmost  holyf  pith, 

And  yet  renounce  thy  good? 
And  wash,  not  with  thy  tears,  buf  .with 

Thy  Husband's  precious  blood? 

Sect.  ii.     Believers  described  from  their  Faith  acting  by  di- 
vine  aid,  and  fleeing  quite  out  of  themselves  to  Christ. 

Can  nothing  less  thy  conscience  ease, 

And  please  thy  heart;  no  less 
Than  that  which  justice  satisfies, 

Thy  Husband's  righteousness? 

Dost  see  thy  works  so  stain'd  with  sin, 
That  thou  through  grace  art  mov'd 

To  seeidkcceptance  only  in 
Thy  Wisband,  the  belov'd? 

*  Isa-  64:  6.  t  Vigor,  or  strength. 


-CHAP.  It.  THE  believer's  jointure.  100 

Dost  thou  remind,  that  once  a  day 

Free  grace  did  strengthen  thee, 
To  gift  thy  guilty  soul  away, 

Thy  Husband's  bride  to  be? 

Or  dost  thou  mind  the  day  of  povv'r. 

Wherein  he  bioke  thy  pride. 
And  gain'd  thy  heart?     O  happy   hour! 

Thy  Husband  caught  the  bride! 

He  did  thy  enmity  subdue, 

Tlyr  bondage  sad  reca!, 
Made  thee  to  choose,  and  close  pursue 

Thy  Husband  as  thy  all. 

What  rest,  and  peace,  and  joy  ensu'd 

Upon  this  noble  choice'? 
Thy  heart,  with  flow'rs  of  pleasure  strew'd. 

Thy  Husband  made  rejoice. 

Dost  know  thou  ne'er  could'st  him  embrace. 

Till  he  embraced  thee? 
Nor  ever  see  him,  till   his  face 

Thy  Husband  open'd  free? 

And  findest  to  this  very  hour. 

That  this  is  still  the  charm; 
Thou  canst  do  nothing,  till  v/iih  pow'r 

Thy  Husbap^  shew  his  arm? 

Canst  thou-ao  nought  by  nature,  art, 

Or  any  strenglh  of  thine, 
Until  thy  wicked,  froward  heart, 

Thy  Husband  shall  incline. 
,-  A  ' 
But  art  thou,  though  without  a  winor 

Of  pow'er  aloft  to  flee. 
Yet  able  to  do  evVy  thing, 

Thy  Husband  strength'iiing  thee? 

Dost  not  alone -at  duties  soik,* 

But  foreign  aid  enjoy? 
And  still  iu  ev'ry  piece  of  work 

Thy  Husband's  strength  employ? 

*  Labor,  wreatlo,  or  toil. 
10 


10  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    H. 

Thy  motion  heav'nly  is  indeed, 

While  thou  by  faith  dost  move; 
And  still  in  ev'ry  time  of  need 

Thy  Husband's  grace  improve. 

No  common,  nat'ral  faith  can  show- 
Its  divine  brood  like  this; 

Whose  object,  author,  feeder  too. 
Thy  Husband  only  is. 

Dost  thou  by  faith  on  him  rely? 

On  him,  not  on  thy  faith? 
li  faith  shall  with  its  object  vie. 

Thy  Husband's  set  beneath. 

I'heir  hand's  receiving  faculty 

Poor  beggars  never  view; 
But  hold  the  royal  gift  in  eye; 

Thy  Husband  so  wilt  thou. 

Faith,  like  a  g'azing  eye  ne'er  waits 

To  boast  in  seeing  pow'rs; 
Its  o1)jcct  views,  itself  forgets; 

Thy  Husband  it  adores. 

It  humbly  still  itself  denies, 

Nor  brags  its  acts  at  all; 
Deep  plung'd  into  its  object  lies, 

Thy  Husband  is  its  all. 

No  strength  but  his  it  has,  and  vrants, 

No  store  but  his  can  show: 
Hence  nothing  has.  yet  nothing  wants, 

Thy  Husband  trains  it  so. 

Faith,  of  its  own,  no  might  can  shew. 

Else  would  itself  destroy; 
But  will  for  all  it  has  to  do, 

Thy  Husband  still  employ. 

Self  saviours  none  could  ever  be 

By  faith  or  grace  of  theirs; 
Their  fruitless  toil,  so  high  that  fleC; 

Thy  Husband's  praise  impairs. 

The  seemingly  devoutest  deed, 
That  would  with  shameless  brow 


<;hap.  II.  THE  belieIver's  jointure.  Ml 

His  savintT  trade  take  o'er  his  head, 
Thy  Husband  won't  allow. 

Dost  therefore  thou  to  him  alone 

Commit  thy  sinful  soul? 
Knowing  of  thy  salvation 

Thy  Husband  is  the  whole? 

Sect.  hi.  Believers  characterized  by  the  objects  and  purity  of  their 
desire,  deH<rht,  joy,  hatred,  and  love,  discovering-  tliey  have  the 
Spirit  of  Christ. 

DosT  thou  his  spirit's  conduct  wait? 

And,  when  compar'd  to  this, 
All  worldly  wisdom  underrate? 

Thy  Husband  waits  to  bless. 

Tak'st  thou  his  Spirit  for  thy  guide 

Through  Baca's  valley  dry, 
Whose  streams  of  influences  glide 

Thy  Husband's  garden  by? 

In  digging  wells  here  by  his  pow'r, 

Dost  find  it  not  in  vain, 
While  here  a  drop  and  there  a  show'r 

Thy  Husband  makes  to  rain? 

Hence  dost  thou  through  each  weary  case 

From  strength  to  strength  go  on. 
From  faith  to  faith,  while  grace  for  grace 

Thy  Husband  gives  anon? 

The  good,  the  gracious  work  begun, 

And  further'd  -by  his  strength. 
Shall  prosp'rous,  though  with  wrestling',  win 

Thy  Husband's  crown  at  length. 

Sin's  pow'r  and  presence  canst  thou  own 

Is  thy  most  grievous  smart. 
That  makes  thee  sob,  and  weep  alone? 

Thy  Husband  knows  thy  heart. 

Does  love  to  him  make  thee  distaste 

Thy  lusts  with  all  their  charms? 
And  most  them  loath'st,  when  most  thou  hast 

Thy  Husband  in  thine  arms? 


112'  .    '  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART   n> 

Are  cords  of  love  the  sweetest  ties 

To  bind  thee  duty  ways? 
And  best  thou  serv'st  when  most  thou  spies 

Ihy  Husband's  beauteous  rays] 

Didst  ever  thou  thy  pardon  read 

In  tears  of  untold  joy? 
When  mercy  made  thy  heart  to  bleed, 

Thy  Husband  was  not  coy. 

Does  pardon  sweetly  melt  thy  heart? 

And  most  embitter  sin? 
And  make  thee  long  with  dross  to  part^ 

Thy  Husband's  throne  to  win? 

When  he  arises  lust  to  kill, 

Corruptions  to  destroy. 
Does  gladness  then  thy  spirit  fill? 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  joy. 

Dost  thou  his  person  fair  embrace 

Beyond  his  blessings  all? 
Sure,  then,  thou  boldly  may'st  through  grace 

Thy  Husband,  Jesus  call. 

What  company  dost  thou  prefer? 

What  friends  above  the  rest? 
Of  all  relations  every  where, 

Thy  Husband  is  the  best. 

Whom  in  the  earth  or  heav'o  dost  thou 

Most  ardently  desire? 
Is  love's  ascending  spark   un,to 

Thy  Husband  set  on  fire? 

Hast  thou  a  hatred  to  his  foes. 

And  dost  their  course  decline? 
Lov'st  thou  his  sain^,  and  dar'st  suppose- 

Thy  Husband's  friends  are  thine? 

Dost  thou  their  talk  and  walk  esjteem, 

V/hen  most  divinely  grave? 
And  favor'st  best  when  most  they  seent 
Thy  Husband's  Sp'rit  to  have? 


CHAP.  n.  THE    believer's   JOINTURE.  118 

Sect,  iv.  Believers  in  Christ  affect  his  counsel,  word,  ordinances, 
appearance,  full  enjoyment  in  heaven,  and  sweet  presence  here. 

Where  go'st  thou  first  when  in  a  strait, 

Or  when  with  grief  opprest? 
Fleest  thou  to  him?  O  happy  gate. 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  rest. 

His  counsel  seek'st  thou  still  prepared, 

Nor  canst  without  him  live? 
Wisdom  to  guide,  and  strength  to  guard, 

Thy  Husband  hath  to  give. 

Canst  thou  produce  no  pleasant  pawn, 

Or  token  of  his  love? 
Won't  signets,  bracelets,  from  his  hand. 

Thy  Husband's  kindness  prove? 

Mind'st  when  he  sent  his  healing  word.; 

Which,  darting  from  on  high, 
Did  light,  and  life,  and  joy  afford? 

Thy  Husband  then  was  nigh. 

"Canst  thou  the  promise  sweet  forget 

He  dropt  into  thy  heart? 
Such  gladd'ning  power  and  love  with  it, 

Thy  Husband  did  impart. 

Dost  thou  affect  his  dwelling  place. 

And  mak'st  it  thy  repair: 
Because  thine  eyes  have  seen,  through  grace^ 

Thy  Husband's  glory  there? 

Dost  love  his  great  appearing  day, 

Aad  thereon  muse  with  joy; 
When  dusky  shades  will  fly  away, 

Thy  Hjjisband  death  destroy? 

Dost  long  to  see  his  glorious  face 

Within  the  higher  orb, 
Where  humid  sorrows  losing  place, 

Thy  Husband's  rays  absorb? 

Long'st  to  be  free  from  ev'ry  fault, 

To  bid  all  sin  adieu? 
And  mount  the  hill  where  glad  thou  shall 

Thy  Husband's  glory  view? 
10* 


114  eOSPEL  S0N3VETS.  PART   II- 

Life  where  it  lives,  love  where  it  loves,, 

Will  most  desire  to  be: 
Such  love  sick  longing  plainly  proves 

Thy  Husband's  love  to  thee. 

What  is  it  best  can  ease  thy  plaint. 

Spread  morning  o'er  thine  ev'n? 
Is  his  approach  thine  heart's  content. 

Thy  Husband's  presence  heav'n? 

And  when  deny'd  tfcis  sweet  relief^ 

Canst  thou  assert  full  well. 
His  hiding  is  thy  greatest  grief. 

Thy  Husband's  absence  hell? 

Let  thy  experience  be  disclos'd; 

If  conscience  answer  Yea 
To  all  the  queries  here  propos'd. 

Thy  Husband's  thine  for  aye. 

Pertain  these  characters  to  thee? 

Then,  soul,  begin  and  praise 
His  glorious  worthy  name,  for  he 

Thy  Husband  is  always. 

Sect.  v.  The  true  Believer's  humility,  dependence,  zeal,  growth, 
and  admiration  of  free  grace,  and  knowledge  of  Christ's  voice. 

Perhaps  a  saint  may  sigh  and  say, 

"  I  fear  I'm  yet  to  learn 
"These  marks  of  marriage  love."     Yet  stay. 

Thy  Husband's  bowels  yearn. 

Though  darkness  may  the  light  obscure^ 

And  storms  surmount  thy  calms, 
Day  yield  to  night,  and  thou  be  poor. 

Thy  Husband  yet  has  alms. 

Dost  see  thyself  an  empty  brat, 

A  poor  unworthy  thing, 
W^ith  heart  upon  the  dust  laid  flat? 

Thy  Husband  there  does  reign. 

Art  in  thine  own  esteem  a  beast. 

And  dost  thyself  abhor? 
The  more  thou  hast  of  self  distaste. 

Thy  Husband  loves  tbee^  more. 


CHAP.  II.  THE    BELIEVER  S   JOINTURE. 

Can  hell  breed  no  such  wicked  elf. 
As  thou  in   thine  own  sifjrhl? 

Thou'st  got,  to  see  thy  filthy  self. 
Thy  Husband's  purest  lic^iUo 

Can^t  find  no  names  so  I!: :.',  so  vile. 
With  which  thou  would'st  compare, 

But  caifst  thyself^  lump  of  hell? 
Thy  Husband  calls  thee  fair. 

When  his  kiiul  visits  make  thee  see 
He's  precious,  thou  art  vile, 

Then  mark  the  hand  of  God  with  thee. 
Thy  Husband  gives  a  smile» 

He  knows  what  visits  suit  thy  state. 
And  though  most  rare  they  be, 

It  sets  thee  well  on  him  to  wait, 
Thy  Husband  waits  on  thee. 

Dost  see  thou  art  both  poor  and  weak. 
And  he  both  full  .'::id   sirong? 

O  do  not  his  delays  mistake, 
Thy  Husband  comes  ere  long. 

Though  during  Sinai's  stormy  stay, 
Tliou  drcad'.st  tjie  disiu  1  blast. 

And  fear'st  thou  art  a  ca.~r-away, 
Thy  Husband  comes  at  last. 

The  glorious  Sun  will  rise  apace, 
And  s|)read   his  healing  wings, 

In  sparkling  pomp  of  sovereign  grace. 
Thy  Husband  gladness  brings. 

Canst  thou,  whate'er  should  come  of  thee. 

Yet  wish  his  Zion  well. 
And  joy  in  her  prosperity? 

Thy  Husbaqd  loves  thy  zeal. 

Dost  thou  admire  his  love  to  some, 
Though  thou  shouldst  never  share? 

Mercy  to  thee  will   also  come, 
Thy  Husband  hath  to  spare. 

Poor  soul !  dost  grieve  for  want  of  grace. 
And  weep  for  want  of  love, 


115 


116  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   II. 

And  Jesus  seek'st!  O  hopeful  case! 
Thy  Husband  lives  above. 

Regretting  much  thy  falling  short, 

Dost  after  more  aspire? 
There's  hope  in  Israel  for  thy  sort, 

Thy  Husband's  thy  desire. 

Art  thou  well  pleas'd  that  sov'reign  grace. 

Through  Christ,  exalted  be? 
This  frame  denotes  no  hopeless  case. 

Thy  Husband's  pleas'd  with  thee. 

Could'st  love  to  be  the  footstool  low 
On  which  his  throne  might  rise, 

It's  pompous  grace  around  to  show? 
Thy  Husband  does  thee  prize. 

If  but  a  glance  of  his  fair  face 

Can  cheer  thee  more  than  wine; 
Thou  in  his  loving  heart  hast  place,    *> 

Thy  Husband  place  in  thine. 

Dost  make  his  blood  thy  daily  bath? 

His  word  and  oath  thy  stay? 
His  law  of  love  thy  lightsome  path? 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  way. 

All  things  within  earth's  spacious  womb 

Dost  but  count  loss  and  dung, 
For  one  sweet  word  in  season  from 

Thy  Husband's  learned  tongue? 

Skill  to  discern  and  know  his  voice, 

From  words  of  wit  and  art. 
Will  clearly  prove  thou  art  his  choice. 

Thy  Husband  thine  in  heart. 

The  pompous  words  that  fops  admire, 

May  vagrant  fancy  feast; 
But  with  seraphic  harmless  fire 

Thy  Husband's  burn  the  breast. 


CHAP.  H.  THE    believer's    JOINTURE.  117 

Sect.  vi.  True  Believers  are  willing  to  be  tried  and  examined. 
Comforts  arising  to  them  from  Clirist's  ready  supply,  real 
sympathy,  and  relieving  names,  suiting  their  needs. 

Dost  thou  upon   thy  trait'rous  heart 

Sfill  keep  a  jealous  eye? 
Most  willing  that  thine   inward  part 

Thy  Husband  strictly  tiy? 

The  thieving  crowd   will  hate  the  light, 

Lest  stolen  effects  be  shown; 
But  truth  desires  what's  wrong  or  right 

Thy  Husband  would  make  known. 

Dost  then  his  trying  word  await, 

His  searching  doctrine  love] 
Fond,  lest  thou  err  through  self-deceit. 

Thy  Husband  would  thee  prove? 

Does  oft  thy  mind  with  inward  smart 

Bewail  thy  unbelief? 
And  conscious  sue  from  plagues  of  heart 

Thy  ^usband  for  relief? 

Why  doubt'st  his  love?  and  yet,  behold 

With  him  thou  would'st  not  j)art 
For  thousand  thousand  earths  of  gold; 

Thy  Husband  has  thy  heart. 

Though  darkness,  deadness,  unbelief. 

May  all  thy  soul  attend; 
Light,  life,  and  faith's  mature  relief,  , -•< 

Thy  Husband  has  to  send. 

Of  ^yants  annoying,  why  complain? 

Supply  arises  hence; 
What  gifts  he  has  receiv'd   for  men,* 
Thy  Husband  will  dispense. 

He  got  tliem  in's  exalted  state 

For  rebels  such  as  thou; 
All  ther!  that's  necdfu',  good  or  great, 

Thy  Husband  will  allow. 

Thy  wants  he  sees,  thy  cries  he  hearsj 
And,  marking  all  thy  moans, 

*  Psalm  68:  18. 


118  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  11. 

He  in  his  bottle  keeps  thy  tears, 
Thy  Husband  notes  thy  groans. 

All  thine  infirmities  him  touch, 

They  strike  his  feeling  heart; 
His  kindly  sympathy  is  such, 

Thy  Husband  finds  the  smart. 

"Whatever  touches  thee  affects 

The  apple  of  his  eye; 
Whatever  harms  he  therefore  checks, 

Thy  Husband's  aid  is  nigh. 

If  foes  are  spar'd  thy  need  is  such, 

He  slays  them  but  in  part: 
He  can  do  all,  and  will  do  much, 

Thy  Husband  acts  by  art. 

He  often  for  the  saddest  hour 

Reserves  the  sweetest  aid: 
See  how  such  banners  heretofore 

Thy  Husband  has  display'd.  , 

Mind  where  he  vouched  his  good  will, 

Sometimes  at  Hermon*  mount. 
In  Jordan   land,  at  Mizar  hill; 

Thy   Husband  keeps  the  count. 

At  sundry  times  and  divers  ways. 

To  suit  thy   various  frames, 
Hast  seen,  like  rising  golden  rays, 

Thy  Husband's  various  names? 

When  guilty  conscience  ghastly  star'd, 

jEIIOVAH-TSinKENU,'!" 

The   Lord  thy  righteousness  appeal 'd. 
Thy  Husband  in  thy   view. 

When   in  thy  straits  or  wants  extreme. 

Help  fail'd  on  ev'ry  side^ 
jEUovAH-ji:iAH:|:  was  his  name. 

Thy  Husband  did  provide. 

When  thy  long  absent  Lord  didst  moan, 
And  to  his  courts  repair; 

»  Psalm  42:6.  t  Jer.  23:«.  I  Gen.  22:14. 


CHAP.  II.       THE  believer's  JOINTURE.  119 

Then  was  Jehovah-shammah*  known, 
Thy  Husband  present  there. 

When  thy  assaulting  foes  appear'd 

In   robes  of  terror  clad, 
Jehovah-nissi|  then  was  rear'd, 

Thy  Husband's  banner  spread. 

When  furies  arm'd  with  fright'ning  guilt, 

Dunn'd.  war  without  surcease; 
Jehovati-shalomij:  then  was  built. 

Thy  Husband  sent  thee  peace. 

When  thy  diseases  death  proclaim'd, 

And  creature  balsams  fail'd, 
Jehovaii-rophi§  then  was  fiam'd; 

Thy  Husband  kindly  heal'd. 

Thus,  as  thy  various  needs  require, 

In  various  modes  like  these. 
The  help  that  suits  thy  heart's  desire, 

Thy  Husband's  name  conveys. 

To  the  little  Jlock,  as  cases  vary. 

The  great  Jehovah  shews 
Himself  a  little  sanctuary,\\ 

Thy  Husband  gives  the  views. 

Sect.  vii.  The  Believer's  experience  of  Christ's  comfortable 
presence,  or  of  former  comforts,  to  be  improved  for- his  en- 
couragement and  support  under  darkness  and  hidingg. 

DosT  mind  the  plac^,  the  spot  of  land, 

Where  Jesus  did  thee  meet? 
And  how  he  got  thy  heart  and  hand? 
N   Thy  Husband  then  was  sweet. 

Dost  mind  the  garden,  chamber,  bank, 

A  vale  of  vision  scem'd? 
The  joy  was  full,  thy  heart  was  frank, 

Thy  Husband  much  esteem'd. 

Let  thy  experience  sweet  declare, 
If  able  to  remind; 

*Ezek,  48:35.        t  Exod.  17:15.  tJudg.6:24.     - 

^  Exodus  15:26.  11  Eze'kiel  11:16. 


!20  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAKT  II. 

A  Bochiin  here,  a  Bethel  there, 
Thy  Husband  made  thee  find. 

Was  such  a  corner,  such  a  place, 
A  paradise  to  thee, 

A   Peniei,  w'ijc."':^   f-v'o  fo  face 
Thy  Husband  fair  didst  see? 

There  did  he  clear  thy  cloudy  cause, 

Thy  doubts  and  fears  destroy; 
And  on  thy  spirit  seal'd  he  was 

Thy  Husband  with  great  joy. 

Could'st  thou  have  said  it  boldly  then, 

And  seal'd  it  with  thy  blood? 
Yea,  welcome  death  with  pleasure,  when 

Thy  Husband  by  thee  stood. 

That  earth  again  should  thee  ensnare, 

O  how  thy  heart  was  pain'd ! 
For  all  its  fading  glory  there 

Thy  Husband's  beauty  stain'd. 

The  thoughts  of  living  more  in  sin 

Were  then  like  hell  to  thee; 
The  life  of  heav'n  did  thus  begin. 

Thy  Husband  set  thee  free. 

Whate'er  thou  found'st  him  at  thy  best, 

He's  at  thy  worst  the  same; 
And  in  his  Jove  will  ever  rest, 

Thy  Husband  holds  his  claim. 

Let  faith  these  visits  keep  in  Store, 

Though  sense  the  pleasure  miss; 
The  God  of  Bethel,  as  before, 

Thy  Husband  always  is. 

In  meas'ring  his  approaches  kind. 

And  timing  his  descents; 
In  free  and  sov'reign  ways  thou'lt  find 

Thy  Husband  thee  prevents. 

Prescribe  not  to  him  in  thy  heart; 

He's  infinitely  wise: 
How  oft  he  throws  his  loving  dart, 

Thy  Husband  does  surprise. 


CHAF.  II.  THE    believer's    JOINTURE.  121 

Perhaps  a  sudden  gale  thee  blest, 

While  walking  in  thy  road, 
Or  on  a  journey,  ere  thou  wist. 

Thy  Husband  looked  thee  broad. 

Thus  was  the  eunuch  fam'd  (his  stage 

A  riding  on  the  way, 
As  he  revolv'd  the  sacred  page*) 

Thy  Husband's  happy  prey. 

In  hearing,  reading,  singing,  prayer, 

When  darkness  compass'd  thee, 
Thou  found'st,  or  e'er  thou  wast  aware, 

Thy  Husband's  light'ning  free. 

Of  heav'nly  gales  don't  meanly  think; 

For,  though  thy  soul  complains. 
They're  but  a  short  and  passing  blink; 

Thy  Husband's  love  remains. 

Think  not,  though  breezes  haste  away, 

Thou  dost  his  favor  lose; 
But  learn  to  know  his  sov'reign  way; 

Thy  Husband  comes  and  goes. 


V 


Don't  say  he's  gone  forever,  though 

His  visits  he  adjourn; 
For  yet  a  little  while,  and  lo. 

Thy  Husband  will  return. 

In  worship  social,  or  retir'd, 
Dost  thou  his  absence  wail? 

Wait  at  his  shore,  and  be  not  fear'd, 
Thy  Husband's  ship's  a  sail. 

Yea,  though  in  duties  sense  may  miss 

Thy  soul's  beloved  one; 
Yet  do  not  faint,  for  never  is 

Thy  Husband  whoily  gone. 

Though  Satan,  sin,  earth,  hell  at  once 
Would  thee  of  joy  bereave:" 

Mind  what  he  said,  he  won't  renounce, 
Thy  Husband  will  not  leave. 

»Acts  8:  27—39- 
11 


];22  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART   Xl, 

Though  foes  assail,  and  friendship  fail. 

Thou  liast  a  friend  at  court: 
The  gates  of  hell  shall  ne'er  prevail, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  fort. 

Sect,  viii.     Comfort  to  Believers  from  the  stability  of  the  prot 
mise,  notwithstanding-  heavy  chastisements  for  sins. 

Take  well  hovve'er  kind  wisdom  may 

Dispose  thy  present  lot; 
Tht^ugh  heav'n  and  earth  should  pass  away, 

Thy  Husband's  love  will  not. 

All  needful  help  he  will  afford, 

Thou  hast  his  vow  and  oath; 
And  once  to  violate  his  word 

Thy  Husband  will  be  loath. 

To  fire  and  floods  with  thee  he'll  down^ 

His  promise  this  insures, 
Whose  credit  cannot  burn  nor  drown? 

Thy  Husband's  truth  endures. 

Dost  thou  no  more  his  word  believe,  • 

As  mortal  man's,  forsooth? 
O  do  not  thus  his  Spirit  grieve, 

Thy  Husband  is  the  Truth. 

Though  thou  both  wicked  art  and  weak, 

His  word  he'll  never  rue; 
Tho'  heav'n  and  earth  should  bend  and  break. 

Thy  Husband  will  be  true. 

rjl  never  leave  thee,*  is  his  vow; 

Jf  Truth  has  said  the  word, 
While  Truth  is  truth,  this  word  is  true^ 

Thy  Husband  is  the  Lord. 

Thy  covenant  of  duties  may 

Prove  daily  most  unsure: 
His  covenant  of  grace  for  aye 

Thy  Husbaiid  does  secure™ 

*  Hebrews  13: 5^ 


CHAP.  II.  THE  believer's    JOINTURE.  12S 

Dost  thou  to  him  thy  promise  break, 

And  fear  he  break  to  thee? 
Nay,  not  thy  thousand  crimes  can  make 

Thy  Husband  once  to  lie. 

He  visit  will  thy  sins  with  strokes, 

And  lift  his  heavy  hand; 
But  never  once  his  word  revokes, 

Thy  Husband's  truth  will  stand. 

Then  dream  not  he  is  chang'd  in  love. 

When  thou  art  chang'd  in  frame; 
Thou  may'st  by  turns  unnumber'd  move, 

Thy  Husband's  aye  the  same. 

He  for  thy  follies  may  thee  bind 
With  cords  of  great  distress; 
-     To  make  thee  moan  thy  sins,  and  raind 
Thy  Husband's  holiness. 

By  wounds  he  makes  thee  seek  his  cure. 

By  frowns  his  favor  prize; 
By  falls  affrighting,  stand  more  sure, 

Thy  Husband  is  so  wise. 

Proud  Peter,  in  the  dirt  of  vice 

Fell  down  ejccecding  low; 
His  tow'ring  pride,  by  tumbling  thrice. 

Thy  Husband  cured  so. 

Before  he  suffer  pride  that  swells, 

He'll  drag  thee  througii  the  mire 
Of  sins,  temptations,  little  hells; 

Thy  Husband  saves  by  fire. 

He  in  affliction's  mortar  may 

Squeeze  out  old  Adam's  juice, 
Till  thou  return  to  him,  and  say, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  choice. 

Fierce  billows  may  thy  vessel  toss. 

And  crosses  curses  seem; 
But  that  the  curse  has  fled  tl^p  cross. 

Thy  Husband  bids  thee  deem. 

Conclude  not  he  in  wrath  disowns, 
When  trouble  thee  surrounds; 


124  OOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAET    II. 

These  are  his  favorable  frowns. 
Thy  Husband's  healing  wounds. 

Yea,  when  he  gives  the  deepest  lash. 

Love  leads  the  wounding  hand; 
His  stroke,  when  sin  has  got  a  dashj 

Thy  Husband  will  remand. 

Sect.  ix.  Comfort  to  Believers,  in  Christ's  relations  in  his 
dying  love,  his  glory  in  heaven,  to  which  he  will  lead  them 
through  death,  aJid  supply  with  all  necessaries  by  the  way. 

Bkhold  the  patrimony  broad 

That  falls  to  thee  by  line; 
In  him  thou  art  an  heir  of  God, 

Thy  Husband's  Father's  thine. 

He  is  of  relatives  a  store. 

Thy  Friend  will  help  in  thrall; 
Thy  Brother  much,  thy  Father  more. 

Thy  Husband  most  of  all. 

All  these  he  does  amass  and  share. 

In  ways  that  most  excel: 
'Mong  ail  the  husbands  ever  were, 

Thy  Husband  bears  the  bell. 

Whence  mn  the  streams  of  all  tlyf  good. 

But  from  his  pierced  side? 
With  liquid  gold  of  precious  blood 

Thy  Husband  bought  his  bride. 

His  blood  abundant  value  bore. 

To  make  his  purchase  broad, 
*Twas  fair  divinity  in  gore, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  God. 

Who  pi^rchas'd  at  the  highest  price. 

Be  crown'd  with  highest  praise; 
For  in  the  highest  paradise 

Thy  Husband  wears  the  bays. 

He  is  of  Heav'n  thfe  comely  rose, 

His  beauty  makes  it  fair; 
Heav'n  were  but  hell,  qpuld'st  thou  suppose 

Thy  Husband  were  "Bot  there. 


■OHAP.  ir.  THE   BELIEVER^'S   JOINTURE.  125 

He  thither  did  in  pomp  ascend; 

His  spouse  along  to  bring: 
Then  Hallelujahs  without  end, 

Thy  Husband's  bride  may  sing. 

Ev'n  there,  with  him  for  ever  fix'd, 

His  glory  shalt  thou  see; 
And  nought  but  death  is  now  betwixt 

Thy  Husband's  throne  and  thee. 

He'll  order  death,  that  porter  rude, 

To  ope  the  gates  of  brass; 
For  lo!  with  characters  of  blood. 

Thy  Husband  wrote  thy  pass. 

At  Jordan  deep,  then  be  not  scar'd, 

Though  dismal  like  and  broad;  « 

Thy  sun  will  guide,  thy  shield  will  guard. 
Thy  Husband  pav'd  the  road. 

He'll  lead  thee  safe,  and  bring  thee  home, 

And  still  let  blessings  fall 
Of  grace  while  here,  till  glory  coHie; 

Thy  Husband's  bound  for  all. 

His  store  can  answer  ev'ry  bill. 

Thy  food  and  raiment's  bought; 
Be  at  his  will,  thou'lt  have  thy  fill, 

Thy  Husband  wants  for  nought. 

What  can  thy  soul  conceive  it  lacks? 

His  store,  his  pow'r  is  thine; 
His  lib'ral  heart  to  lib'ral  acts, 

Thy  Husband  does  incline. 

Though  on  thy  hand  that  has  no  might, 

He  should  thy  task  enlarge; 
Nor  work  nor  warfare  needs  thee  fright. 

Thy  Husband  bears  the  charge. 

Thou  would'st,  if  left,  thyself  undo. 

So  apt  to  fall  and  stray; 
But  he  uplifts  and  leads  thee  too: 

Thy  Husband  knows  the  way.. 

^  U* 


126 


GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  II. 


Sect.  x.  Comfort  to  Believers  from  the  text,  Thy  Maker  is  thy 
Husband,  inverted  thus,  Thy  Husband  is  thy  Maker;  and  the 
conclusion  of  this  subject. 

Of  light  and  life,  of  grace  and  glore. 

In  Christ  thou  art  partaker; 
Rejoice  in  him  for  evermore, 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  Maker. 

He  made  thee,  yea,  made  thee  his  bride, 

Nor  heeds  thine  ugly  patch; 
To  what  he  made  he'll  still  abide, 

Thy  Husband  made  the  match. 

He  made  all;  yea,  he  made  all  thine. 

All  to  thee  shall  be  given. 
Who  can  thy  kingdom  undermine? 

Thy  Husband  made  the  Heav'n, 

What  earthly  things  can  thee  annoyi 

He  made  the  earth  to  be; 
The  waters  cannot  thee  destroy. 

Thy  Husband  made  the  sea. 

Don't  fear  the  flaming  element 

Thee  hurt  with  burning  ire; 
Or  that  the  scorching  heat  torment: 

Thy  Husband  made  the  fire. 

Infectious  streams  shall  ne'er  destroy 

While  he  is  pleas'd  to  spare; 
Thou  shalt  thy  vital  breath  enjoy, 

Thy  Husband  made  the  air. 

The  sun  that  guides  the  golden  day, 

The  moon  that  rules  the  night. 
The  starry  frame,  the  milky  way, 

Thy  Husband  made  for  light. 

The  bird  that  wings  its  airy  path, 

The  fish  that  cuts  the  flood, 
The  creeping  crowd  that  swarms  beneath, 

Thy  Husband  made  for  good. 

The  grazing  herd,  the  beasts  of  prey, 
The  creatures  great  and  small, 


CHAP.  ir.  THE    BELIEVER  S   JOINTURE. 

For  thy  behoof  their  tribute  pay, 
Thy  Husband  made  them  all. 

Thine's  Paul,  Apollos,  life,  and  death, 
Things  present,  things  to  be; 

And  ev'ry  thing  that  being  hath, 
Thy  Husband  made  for  thee. 

In  Tophet  of  the  damn'd's  resort 

Thy  soul  shall  never  dwell, 
Nor  needs  from  thence  imagine  hurt, 

Thy  Husband  formed  hell. 

Satan,  with  instruments  of  his. 

May  rage,  yet  dread  no  evil; 
So  far  as  he  a  creature  is. 

Thy  Husband  made  the  devil. 

His  black  temptations  may  afflict, 

His  fiery  darts  annoy; 
But  all  his  works,  and  hellish  trick, 

Thy  Husband  will  destroy. 

Let  armies  strong  of  earthly  gods 
Combine  with  hellish  ghosts, 

They  live,  or  languish,  at  his  nods; 
Thy  Husband's  Lord  of  hosts. 

What  can  thee  hurt?  whom  dost  thou  fear? 

All  things  are  at  his  call. 
Thy  Maker  is  thy  Husband  dear, 

Thy  Husband  all  in  all. 

What  dost  thou  seek?  what  dost  thou  want? 

He'll  thy  desires  fulfil. 
He  gave  himself,  what  won't  he  grant? 

Thy  Husband's  at  thy  will. 

The  more  thou  dost  of  him  desire, 

The  more  he  loves  to  give: 
High  let  thy  mounting  arms  aspire, 

Thy  Husband  gives  thee  leave. 

The  less  thou  seek'st,  the  less  thou  dost 
His  bounty  set  on  high; 


127 


128  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  11. 

But  hifj-hest  seekers  here  do  most 
Thy  Husband  glorify. 

Wonld'st  thou  have  grace?  Well;  but  'tis  meet 

He  should  more  glory  gain. 
Would'st  tliou  have  Father,  Son,  and  Sp'rit? 

Thy  Husband  says,  Amen. 

He'll  kindly  act  the  lib'ralGod, 

Devising  lib'ial  things; 
With  royal  gifts  his  subjects  load; 

Thy  Husband's  King  of  kings. 

No  earthly  monarchs  have  such  store 

As  thou  hast  e'en  in  hand; 
But,  O  how  infinitely  more 

T!iy  Husband  gives  on  band! 

Thou  h".st  indeed  the  better  part, 

Tie  part  will  fail  thee  never: 
Thy  H'lsband's  hand,  thy  Husband's  heart, 

Thy  Husband's  all  forever. 


THE  END  OP  THE  POEM  UPON  ISA.  54:5 


GOSPEIi  SONNETS. 

PART    III. 

THE  BELIEVER'S  RIDDLE; 

OR,    THE 

MYSTERY  OF  FAITH. 


THE    PREFACE. 
SHEWING    THE    USE    AND    DESIGN    OF    THE    RIDDLE. 

Reader,  the  following  enigmatic  song, 
Does  not  to  wiset-t  nat'ralists  belong: 
TJieir  wisdom  is  but  folly  on  this  head: 
They  here  may  ruminate,  but  cannot  read. 
For  tliough  they  glance  the  lines,  the  meaning  chokes, 
They  read  the  words,  but  not  the  paradox. 
The  subject  will,  howe'er  the  phrase  be  blunt,        , 
Their  most  acute  intelligence  surmount, 
If  with  the  nat'ral  and  acquired  sight 
They  share  not  divine  evangelic  light. 

Great  wits  may  rouse  their  fancies,  rack  their  brains, 
And  after  all  their  labor  lose  their  pains: 
Their  wisest  comments  were  but  witless  chat, 
Unapt  to  frame  an  explication  pa* 
No  unregen'rate  mortal's  best  engines  "" 

Can  right  unriddle  these  few  rugged  lines; 
Nor  any  proper  notions  thereof  reach. 
Though  sublimated  to  the  highest  stretch. 
Masters  of  reason,  plodding  men  of  sense, 
Who  scorn  to  mortify  their  vain  pretence, 
In  this  mysterious  deep  might  plod  their  fili; 
It  overtops  the  top  of  all  their  skill. 


130  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  IJI. 

The  more  they  vainly  huff,  and  scorn  to  read, 
The  more  it  does  their  foolish  wit  exceed. 

Those  sinners  that  are  sanctified  in  part, 
May  read  tliis  riddle  truly  in  their  heart. 
Yea,  weakest  saints  may  feel  its  truest  sense. 
Both  in  their  sad  and  sweet  experience. 
Don't  overlook  it  with  a  rambling  view. 
And  rash  suppose  it  neither  good  nor  true. 
Let  Heaven's  pure  oracles  the  truth  decide; 
Renounce  it,  if  it  can't  that  test  abide. 
Noble  Bereans  soon  the  sense  may  hit, 
Who  found  the  divine  depth  of  sacred  writ, 
Not  by  what  airy  carnal  reason  saith, 
But  by  the  golden  line  of  heaven  spun  faith. 

Let  not  the  naughty  phrase  make  you  disprove 
The  weighty  matter  which  deserves  your  love. 
High  strains  would  spoil  the  riddle's  grand  intent, 
To  teach  the  weakest,  most  illit'rate  saint. 
That  Matianaim  is  his  proper  name; 
In  whom  two  struggling  hosts  make  bloody  game. 
That  such  may  know,  whose  knowledge  is  but  rude 
How  good  consists  with  ill  and  ill  with  good. 
That  saints  be  neither  at  their  worst  nor  best. 
Too  much  exalted  or  too  much  deprest. 

This  paradox  is  fitted  to  disclose  _^ 

The  skill  of  Zion's  friends  above  her  foes; 
To  difference,  by  light  that  heaven  transmits, 
Some  happy  fools  fronj  miserable  wits. 
And  thus  (if  bless'd)  it  may  in  some  degree 
Make  fools  their  wit,  and  wits  their  folly  see. 
Slight  not  the  lliddle  then,  with  jargon  vile, 
Because  not  garnish'd  with  a  pompous  style. 
Could  th'  author  act  the  lofty  poets'  part 
Who  make  their  sonnets  soar  on  wings  of  art. 
He  on  this  theme  had  blush'd  to  use  his  skill, 
And  either  dipt  his  wings,  or  broke  his  quill. 

Why,  thus  enigma  climbs  such  divine  heights. 
As  scorn  to  be  adorn'd  with  human  flights. 
These  gaudy  strains  would  lovely  truth  disgrace, 
As  purest  paint  deforms  a  comely  face. 
Heav'n's  mysteries  are  above  art's  ornament, 
Immensely  brighter  than  its  brightest  paint. 


PAftT   III.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  131 

No  tow'ring  lit'rature  could  e'er  outwit 

The  plainest  diction  fetch'd  from  sacicd  writ, 

By  which  mere  blazing  rhet'ric  is  outdone, 

As  twinkling  stars  are  by  the  radiant  sun. 

The  soaring  orators,  who  can  with  ease 

Strain  the  quintessence  of  hyperboles, 

And  clothe  the  barest  theme  with  purest  dress, 

Might  here  expatiate  much,  yet  say  the  less, 

If  w'  th'  majestical  simplicity 

Of  scripture  orat'ry  they  disagree. 

These  lines  pretend  not  to  affect  the  sky, 
Content  among  inglorious  shades  to  lie. 
Provided  sacred  truth  be  fitly  clad, 
Or  glorious  shine  ev'n  through  the  dusky  shade. 
Mark,  then,  though  you  should  miss  the  gilded  strain, 
If  they  a  store  of  golden  truth  contain: 
Nor  undeirate  a  jewel  rare  and  prime. 
Though  wrapt  up  in  the  rags  of  homely  rhyme. 

Though  haughty  deists  hardly  stoop  to  say, 
That  nature's  night  has  need  of  scripture  day: 
Yet  gospel  light  alone  will  clearly  shew 
How  ev'ry  sentence  here  is  just  and  true. 
Expel  the  shades  that  may  the  mind  involve, 
And  soon  the  seeming  contradiction  solve. 
All  fatal  errors  in  the  world  proceed 
From  want  of  skill  such  mysteries  to  read. 
Vain  men  the  double  branch  of  truth  divide. 
Hold  by  the  one,  and  slight  the  o'.her  side. 

Hence  proud  Arminians  cannot  reconcile 
Freedom  of  grace  with  freedom  of  the  will. 
The  blinded  Papist  won't  discern  nor  see 
How  works  are  good,  unless  they  justify. 
Thus  Legalists  distinguish  not  the  odds 
Between  their  home-bred  righteousness  and  God's. 
Antinomists  the  saints'  perfection  plead, 
Nor  duly  sever  'tween  them  and  their  head. 
Socinians  won't  these  seeming  odds  agree. 
How  heaven  is  bought,  and  yet  salvation  free. 
Bold  Arians  hate  to  reconcile  or  scan, 
How  Christ  is  truly  God  and  truly  man: 
Holding  the  one  part  of  Immanuel's  name, 
The  other  part  outrageously  blaspheme. 


^^2  GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

The  sound  in  faith  no  part  of  truth  control: 
Heretics  own  the  half,  but  not  the  whole. 

Keep  then  the  sacred  myst'ry  still  entire; 
To  both  the  sides  of  truth  do  favor  bear, 
Not  quitting  one  to  hold  the  other  branch; 
But  passing  judgment  on  an  equal  bench: 
The  riddle  has  two  feet,  and  were  but  one 
Cut  off,  truth  falling  to  the  ground  were  gone, 
J  IS  ail  a  contradiction,    yet  all  true, 
And  happy  truth,  if  verifi'd  in  you.  ' 
Go  forward  then,  to  read  the  lines,  but  stay 
lo  read  the  Riddle  also  by  the  way. 


PAET   in. 


SECT.  T»  THE   BEI.IEVEr's   BIBDLE.  133 

'       THE  RIDDLE. 

Sect.  i.     The  M)'^stery  of  the  Saints'  Pedigree,  and   especially  of 
their  relation  to  Christ's  wonderful  person. 

My  life's  a  maze  of  seeming  traps,* 
A  scene  of  miseries  and  mishaps;" 
A  heap  of  jarring  to  and  froes,'= 
A  field  of  joys,  a  flood  of  woes.* 

I'm  in  mine  own  and  others'  eyes, 
A  labyrinth  of  mysteries.'' 
I'm  something  that  from  nothing  came,' 
Yet  sure  it  is,  I  nothing  am.s 


a  Josh.  2.3 :1.3.  And  Joshua  said,  Know  for  a  certainty,  that  the 
Lord  your  God  will  no  more  drive  out  any  of  these  nations  from  be- 
fore you;  but  they  sliall  be  snares  and  traps  unto  you,  and  scourges 
in  your  sides,  and  thorns  in  your  eyes,  &c  Psalm  124:7.  Our 
soul  is  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the  snare  of  the  fowlers;  the  snare 
is  bi-oken,  and  we  are  escaped. 

b  Or  miseries.  Lam.  3:19.  Remembering  mine  affliction  and 
my  misery,  the  wormwood  and  tiic  gall.  v.  22.  It  is  of  the  Lord's 
mercies  that  wc  arc  not  consumed,  because  his  compassions  fail  not. 
Psalm  101:1.  I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment:  unto  thee,  O 
Lord,  will  I  sing. 

c  Psalm  102:10.  Thou  hast  lifted  me  up,  and  cast  me  down. 
Psalm  109:  23.  I  am  tossed  up  and  down  as  the  locust. 

d  Hab.  3:17,18.  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither 
shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines,  the  labor  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the 
fields  shall  yield  no  meat,  the  flock  shall  be  cut  off  from  tlie  fold, 
and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls;  yet  will  I  rejoice  in  the 
Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation. 

e  Isa.  8:18.  Behold  I  and  the  children  whom  tlie  Lord  hath  giv- 
en me,  are  for  signs,  and  for  wonders  in  Israel;  from  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  which  dwellcth  in  mount  Zion.  Zech.  3:8.  Haar  now,  O 
Joshua,  the  high  priest,  thou  and  thy  follows  that  sit  before  thee  i 
for  they  are  men  wondered  at,  &.c.  Psalm  61:7.  I  am  as  a  won* 
dor  unto  many,  but  thou  art  my  strong  rciuge. 

f  Gen.  1:1.  In  the  beginning  God  cnated  the  heaven  and  the 
earth.  Helx  U  :3.  Through  faith  we  under.-tand  that  the  worlds 
were  framed  by  the  word  of  God,  so  that  things  which  are  seen 
were  not  made  of  things  which  do  appear. 

g  Isa.  40:17.  All  nations  before  him  are  as  nothing,  and  they 
are  accounted  to  him  less  than  nothing  and  vanity.  Dan.  4:  35 
All  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  reputed  as  nothing. 


I(S4  eOSTEL  SONNETS.  PART   iXZ 

Once  I  was  dead,  and  blind,  and  larae,^ 
Yea,  I  continue  still  the  same;^' 
Yet  wbat  I  was,  I  am  no  more,'' 
Nor  ever  shall  be  as  before.* 

My  Father  lives,"  my  father's  gone,"^ 
My  vital  head  both  lost  and  won." 
My  parents  cruel  are  and  kind,? 
Of  one,  and  of  a  diff 'rent  mind.i 


h  Eph.  2 :1.  And  you  hath  he  quickened,  who  were  dead  sr,- 
trespasses  and  sins.  Rev.  .3 J 7^  Because  thou  sayest,  I  am  rich, 
and  increased  in  goods,  and  have  need  ornothijig;  andknowest  not 
that  thou  art  wretched,-  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blmd,  and  na-- 
ked.  Isa.  35:6.  Tlien  shall  the  lame  man  leap  as  an  hart,  and  the 
tongus  of  the  dumb  sing:  for  in  tlie  wilderness  shall  waters  break 
out,  and  streams  in  tlie  desert. 

i  Rom.  7:14.  For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual:  but  I  ami 
carnal,  sold  under  sin,  Ver.  24.  O  wretched  mail  that  I  am,  whc 
shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death? 

k  Rom.  7:17.  Now  then,  it  is  no  more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that 
dwellcth  in  me.  Ver.  20.  Now  if  I  do  that  I  would  not,  it  is  no> 
more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that  dwelleth  in  me.  John  9:25.  He  (the 
blind  man)  answered  and  said.  Whether  he  be  a  sinner,  or  no,  I 
know  not;  one  thing-  I  know,  that  whereas  I  was  blind,  now  I  see. 

1  Rom.  11:29.  For  tlie  gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  re- 
pentance. .Ter.  32:40  And  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant 
with  them,  tiiat  I  will  not  turn  away  from  them,  to  do  them  good^ 
but  I  will  put  my  fea,r  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  not  depart 
from  me. 

m  Isa.  9:6.  His  name  shall  be  called.  The  everlasting  Father. 
Rev.  1:18.  I  am  he  that  liveth,  and  v/as  dead;  and  behold,  I  am  alive 
for  evermore.     Amen, 

n  Hos.  14:3.  In  thee  the  fatherless  findeth  mercy.  Zeeh.  1:5 
Your  fathers  where  are  they?  and  the  prophets,  do  tliey  live  for  ever? 

ol  Cor.  15:45.  It  is  written,  The  first  man  Adam  was  made  a 
living  soul^  the  last  Adam  was  made  a  quickening  spirit. 

p  Psalm  103:13.  Like  as  a  father  pitiethliis  children;  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him.  Isa.  43:27.  Thy  first  father  liath  sin., 
ned,  and  thy  teachers  have  transgressed  against  me. 

q  Job  23:13.  But  he  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him?  and 
what  his  sou!  desireth,  even  that  he  doeth.  Rom.  8:5.  For  they  that 
are  after  the  flesh,  do  mind  the  things  of  the  flesh;  buttficy  that  are 
after  the  Spirit,  the  things  of  the  Spirit.  Ver.  7,  Because  the  car- 
aal  mind  is  enmity  against  God:  for  it  is  not  subj^ect  to  tlie  law  of 
?3od,  neither  indeed  can  be^ 


«ECT.  S.  THE  BELIEVER^S   RIDDLE.  135 

My  father  poison'd  me  to  death/ 
My  mother's  hand  will  stop  ray  breath;^ 
Her  womb,  that  once  my  substance  gave, 
Will  very  quickly  be  ray  grave.* 

My  sisters  all  my  flesh  will  eat/ 
My  brethren  tread  rae  under  feet;" 
My  nearest  friends  are  most  unkind/ 
My  greatest  foe's  my  greatest  friend.'^ 

He  could  from  feud  to  friendship  pass, 
Yet  never  change  from  what  he  was."* 

r  Rom,  5:12.  Wherefore,  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  aim  and  so  death  passf'd  upon  all  men;  for  that 
all  have  sinned. 

sGen.  3:16.  Unto  the  woman  he  said,  I  will  greatly  multiply  thy 
sorrow,  and  thy  conception:  in  sorrow  thou  shalt  bring  forth  chil- 
idren,  &.c. 

*  Psalm  146:4.  Hi«  breath  nrncth  forth,  he  returnefh  to  his  earth; 
in  that  very  day  his  thoughts  perish.  Eecl.  2:20.  All  go  unto  one 
place,  all  arc  of  the  dust,  and  all  turn  to  dust  again. 

t.lob  17:14.  I  have  said  to  corruption,  Tliou  ai't  my  father;  to  the 
worm..  Thou  art  ray  mother  and  ra}'  sister.  Chap.  i9;26.  Arid 
though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  ilesh 
sliall  I  see  God. 

u  Even  in  a  moral  sense,  Jer.  12:10.  Many  pastors  have  destroy- 
ed my  vineyard,  they  have  trodden  my  [Tortion  under  foot,  tliey  have 
made  my  pleasant  portion  a  desolate  wilderness.  Ezek.  34:18. 
Seemeth  It  a  small  thing  unto  you,  to  Jiave  eaten  up  the  good  pas- 
ture, but  ye  must  tread  down  with  your  feet  the  residue  of  3'our  pas- 
tures? and  to  have  drunk  of  the  dqep  waters,  but  ye  must  foul  the 
residue  with  your  feet? 

V  Psalm  55:12,13.  For  it  was  not  an  cneinj'  that  reproached  me, 
then  I  could  have  borne  it;  n'.it'irr  v/:::  it  ho  that  hated  me,  that 
did  magnify  himself  against  nv  ilr-^t  i  •  ^0,  Id  Iiavehid  myself  from 
him.  But  it  was  tliou,  a  ma  .  1  .iio  c  -  A,  my  gi'ide,  and  mine  ac- 
tfiuaintance.  Mic.  7:5,6.  Tru-^  y  •  .  ',  =ri  a  friend, put  ye  not  con- 
fidence in  a  guide;  keep  the  doois  oi  t  ly  moiitii  from  her  that  lieth 
in  thy  bosom.  For  the  son  dis'ncnoreth  the  father,  the  daughter 
risetli  up  against  the  mother,  the  dau'-liter-iu-lav,'  against  her  mo- 
ther-in-law; a.  man's  enemies  are  tlie  men  of'  his  own  liousc. 

w  Psalm  7-.II.  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day.  2  Cor, 
5:19.  God  was  in  Ciirist,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  not 
imputing  their  trespasses  unio  them. 

X  Mai.  3:16.  For  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not;  therefore  ye  sons 
■of  Jacob  are  not  consumed.  Hos.  14:4.  I  will  heal  tlieir  backslid- 
ing, I  will  love  them  freely;  for  mine  anger  is  turned  away  from 
■him. 


i36  OOSPEL   SONNETS,  ?ART   1M> 

He  is  my  Father,  he  alone. 
Who  is  my  Father's  only  Son.y 

I  am  his  mother's  son,'^  yet  more, 
A  son  his  mother''  never  bore, 
But  born  of  him,''  and  yet  aver 
His  Father's  sons  my  mother's  were.*" 

I  am  dirorc'd  yet  marri'd  still,*' 
With  full  consent  against  my  will.* 
My  husband  present  is,*'  yet  gone,5 
We  differ  much,  yet  still  are  one." 

He  is  the  first,  the  la^st,  the  all,* 
Yet  number'd  up  with  insects  small.J 

y  John  20:17.  Jesus  saith  unto  her  [Mary,]  Touch  me  not:  for  I 
Bin  not  yet  ascended  unto  my  Father :  but  go  to  my  brethren,  and 
say  unto  them,  I  ascend  unto  my  Father  and  your  Father,  and  to 
my  God  and  yoiu-  God.  Isa.  9:6.  Unto  us  a  Son  is  given :  and  his 
name  shall  be  called,  the  everlasting  Father.  John  1:14.  And  thcr 
Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dw^elt  among  us  (and  we  beheld  his  glo- . 
ry,  the  glory  a^  of  the  only  begotten  of  tlie  Father)  full  of  grace 
and  truth. 

z  Song  3:4.  It  was  but  a  little  that  I  passed  from  them,  but  I. 
foiuid  him  whom  my  soul  loveth :  I  held  him,  and  would  not  let 
him  go,  until  I  ha^i  brought  him  into  my  mother's  house,  and  into 
the  chamber  of  her  that  conceived  me.  Ver.  11.  Go  forth,  O  ye 
daughters  of  Zion,  and  behold  king  Solomon  with  the  crown  where- 
with his  mother  crowned  him  in  the  day  of  his  espousals,  and  in 
tl\e  day  of  the  gladness  of  his  heart. 

a  viz.  His  natural  mother  according  to  the  flesh. 

bJohn  1:13.  Which  were  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the 
flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. 

c  Gal.  4:26.  But  Jerusalem  which  is  above,  is  free,  which  is  the 
mother  of  us  all. 

d  Rom  7:4.  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  ye  also  are  become  dead 
to  the  law  by  the  body  of  C'hrist;  and  that  yc  should  be  married  to 
another,  even  to  him  who  is  raised  from  the  dead. 

e  Psalm  110:.3.  Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power. 

f  Mattli.  28:20.  Lo,  1  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of 
Uie  world. 

g  John  14:2.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you. 

h  John  17:21.  That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou.  Father,  art  in 
me,  and  I  in  thee;  that  tliey  also  may  be  one  in  us. 

IRev.  1:11.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  first  and  the  last.  CoL 
3:11.  Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 

j  Psalm  22:6,  But  I  am  a  worm,  and  no  man. 


«KCT.  1.  THE    BELIEVER''s   RIDDLE.  3^ 

The  first  of  all  things,^  yet  alone, 
The  second  of  the  great  Three-oiie^" 

A  creature  never  could  be  be, 
Yet  is  a  creature  strange  I  see;" 
And  own  this  uncreated  one. 
The  son  of  man,  yet  no  man's  son^" 

He's  omnipresent  all  may  know:* 
Yet  never  could  be  wholly  so.p 
His  manhood  is  not  here  and  there,''' 
Yet  he  is  God-man  ev'ry  where.. ■■ 

k  Ck)!.  Itl5,16.  Who  is  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first 
born  of  every  creature:  for  by  him  were  all  things  created  that  are 
in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they 
be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers;  all  things 
were  created  by  him,  and  for  him. 

1 1  John  5:7.  For  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  heaven,  the 
Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost :  and  these  three  are  one. 
Matth.  28:18.  Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  .all  nations,  baptizing  them 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  tlio  Holy  Ghost. 

m  John  1:2,3.  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word 
was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  The  same  was  in  the  be- 
ginning with  God.  All  things  were  made  by  him,  and  without 
him  was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made.  Ver.  14.  And  the 
Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us  (and  we  behold  his  glo- 
ry, the  glory  of  the  only  begotten  of  tlie  FatJier)  full  of  grace  and 
truth. 

n  Matth.  1:23:  Behold  a  virgin  sliall  he  with  cliild,  and  shall 
bring  forth  a  son,  and  they  shall  call  his  name  Emma?iue!,  which 
being  interpreted  is,  God  with  us.  Luke  1:34,35.  Then  said  Mary 
unto  the  angel,  How  shall  this  be,  seeing  I  know  not  a  man?  And 
the  angel  answered  and  said  unto  her,  TJic  Holy  Ghe.<t  sliall  come 
upon  thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest  shall  overshadow  thee; 
therefore  also  that  Holy  thing  which  sliall  be  born  of  tliee  shall  be 
called  the  Son  of  God. 

o  Psalm  139:7,8,0,10.  V/hither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit?  or, 
whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence?  If  1  ascend  up  into  heaven, 
thou  art  tliere;  If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold  thou  art  there.  If 
I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts 
of  the  sea;  even  tliere  shall  thy  hand  find  me,  and  thy  right  hand 
«hall  hold  me. 

p  Luke  24:6.  He  is  not  here,  but  is  risen. 

q  John  16:16.  A  little  while  and  ye  shall  not  see  me;  and  agaiM 
U  little  while  and  ye  shall  see  me.  because  I  go  to  the  Father. 

r  Matth.  1:23.  See  letter  o.  Chap.  28:20.  Lo,  I  am  with  you  afl- 
way,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  ■ 

12* 


13f  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  1IS» 

lie  comes  and  goes,  none  can  him  trace;* 
Yet  never  could  he  change  his  place,* 
But  though  he's  good,"  and  ev'ry   where. 
No  good's  in  hell,  yet  he  is  there.'^ 

I  by  him,"  in  him*  chosen  was,' 
Yet  of  the  choice  he's  not  the  cause:" 
For  sov'reign  mercy  ne'er  was  bought,* 
Yet  through  his  blood  a  vent  is  sought.'' 

In  him  concenter'd  at  his  death 

His  Father's  love,'=  his  Father's  wratb;^ 

s  John  3:8.  The  Wind  bloweth  where  it  lidteth,  and  IJiou  hear- 
est  tiie  sound  thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh,  and 
whither  it  goeth;  so  is  every  one  tliat  is  born  of  the  Spirit. 

t  Isa.  66:1.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Tlie  heaven  is  my  throne,  and 
the  earth  is  my  footstool;  where  is  the  house  that  ye  build  unto  me? 
and  where  is  the  place  of  my  rest? 

u  Psalm  100:5.  The  Lord  is  good,  his  mercy  is  everlasting. 

V  Psalm  139:8.  If  I  make  my  bed  in  heD,  behold  thou  art  there. 

w  As  God.  X  As  mediator, 

y  Eph.  1:4.  According  as  he  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy,  and  without  blame 
before  hiai  ia  love. 

z  But  hiin?p.lf  the  Father's  first  elect.  Isa.  42:1.  Behold  my  ser- 
vant, whom  I  uphold;  mine  elect,  in  whom  my  soul  delighteth.^ 
Mat.  1:2 :18.  Behold,  my  servant,  whom  I  have  c'.osen,  my  beloved, 
in  whom  my  soul  is  well  pleased. 

aJoim  3:16.  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  be- 
gotten Son,  &.C.  Roui.  9: 11.  For  the  children  being  not  yet  born, 
neither  having  done  any  good  or  evil,  that  the  purpose  of  God  ac- 
cording to  election  might  stand,  not  of  works,  but  of  him  that  call- 
eth.  Ver.  13.  It  is  written,  Jacob  have  I  loved,  but  Esau  have  I 
hated.  Ver.  15.  God  saitli  to  Moses,  I  will  have  mercy  on  whom 
I  will  have  mercy,  and  I  will  have  compassion  on  whom  I  will 
have  compassion. 

bRom.  3: 24,25.  Being  justified  fi'eely  by  his  grace,  through  the 
redeiiii)tion  that  is  in  Jesus  Clirist;  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be 
a  propitiation,  through  faitli  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteous- 
ness for  the  remission  of  sins,  <fec.  Chap.  5  :9.  Being  justified  by 
his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him.  Ver.  21. 
That  as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even  so  might  grace  reign 
through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

c.Iohn  10:17.  Tlierefore  doth  my  Father  love  me,  because  Hay 
down  my  lite,  that  I  might  take, it  again. 

d  Isa.  52: 10.  Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him;  he  hath  put 
him  to  grief. 


SECT.  I.  THE    believer's   RIDDLE.  1^9 

Ev'n  he  whom  passion  never  seiz'd,* 
Was  then  most  angry  when  most  pleas'd' 
Justice  requir'd  that  he  should  die,5 
Who  yet  was  slain  unrighteously;" 
And  died  in  mercy  and   in  wrath, 
A  lawful  and  a  lawless  death.* 
With  him  I  neither  liv'd  nor  died. 
And  yet  with  him  was  crucifi'd.^ 
Law  curses  stopt  his  breath,  that  he 
Might  stop  its  mouth  from  cursing  me.* 

'Tis  now  a  thousand  years  and  more 
Since  heav'n  receiv'd  him;  yet  I  know. 
When  he  ascended  up  on  high 
To  mount  the  throne,  e'en  so  did  I,™ 

Hence  though  earth's  dunghill  I  embrace, 
I  sit  with  him  in  heav'nly  place," 

e  Isa.  27: 4.  Fury  is  not  in  me. 

f  Eom.  8: 23.  He  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up 
for  us  all.  Eph.  5:2.  Christ  hath  given  himself  for  us,  an  offering- 
and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  smelling-  savor. 

g  Heb.  7: 22.  By  so  much  was  Jesus  made  a  surety  of  a  better 
testament.  Chap.  9:16.  For  wiiere  a  testament  is,  tliere  must  al- 
so of  necessity  be  the  death  of  the  testator.  Ver.  22,23.  And  al- 
most  all  things  are  by  the  law  purged  witli  blood;  and  without 
shedding  of  blood  is  no  remission.  It  was  therefore  necessary  that 
the  patterns  of  things  in  the  heavens  should  be  purified  with  these; 
but  the  heavenly  things  themselves  with  better  sacrifices  than 
these. 

h  Matth.  27:  4.  I  [Judas]  have  sinned,  in  that  I  have  betrayed 
the  innocent  blood.  Ver.  23.  And  the  governor  said,  Why,  what 
evil  hatli  he  done?  But  they  cried  out  the  more,  saying,  Let  him 
be  crucified. 

i  Acts  2:23.  Jesus  of  Nazareth  being  delivered  by  the  determi- 
nate counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  ye  have  taken,  and  by 
wicked  hands  have  crucified  and  slain.  Chap.  4:27.  For  of  a  truth 
the  holy  child  Jesus,  whom  thou  hast  anointed,  botli  Herod  and 
Pontius  Pilate,  with  the  Gentiles,  and  the  people  of  Israel  were 
gathered  together,  &.c. 

kGal.  2  :20.  I  am  crucified  with  Christ. 

1  Gal.  3: 13.  Ciirist  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
being  made  a  curse  for  us :  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one 
that  hangeth  on  a  tree. 

m  Col.  3:1.  If  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ,  «Se.c.  Heb.  6:20. 
Whither  the  forerunner  is  for  us  entered,  even  Jesus,  &c. 

n  Eph.  2: 5,6,  Even  when  we  were  dead  in  sins,  hath  quickened 


140  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   III. 

In  divers  distant  orbs  I  move, 
Enthraird  below,  enthron'd  above. 

Skct.  II.     The  mystery  of  the  Saint's  life,  state,  and  frame. 

My  life's  a  pleasure*  and  a  pain;'' 
A  real  loss,  a  real  gain;"= 
A  glorious  paradise  of  joys,"" 
A  grievous  prison  of  annoys.® 

I  daily  joy,  and  daily  mourn,' 
Yet  daily  wait  the  tide's  returnr^ 
Then  sorrow  deep  my  spirit  cheers, 
I'm  joyful  in  a  flood  of  tears." 

us  together  with  Christ,  and  hath  raised  us  up  together,  and  made 
us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

a  Prov.  3: 17.  Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her 
paths  are  peace. 

b  Psalm  120:7.  Wo  is  me,  that  I  sojourn  in  Mesech,  that  I  dwell 
in  the  tents  of  Kedar. 

c  Phil.  3:  7.  But  what  things  were  gain  to  me,  those  I  counted 
loss  for  Christ.  CJiap.  1:21,24.  For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to 
die  is  gain.  But  if  I  live  in  the  flesh,  this  is  the  fruit  of  my  la- 
bor; yet  what  I  shall  choose  I  wot  not;  for  I  am  in  a  strait  be- 
twixt two,  having  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ,  which 
is  far  better :  nevertheless,  to  abide  in  the  flesh  is  more  needful 
for  you. 

d  1  Pet.  1:  8.  Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love;  in  whom,  though 
now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeaka- 
ble, and  full  of  glory. 

e  Psalm  142:7.  Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise 
thy  name. 

f  1  Pet.  1: 6.  Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a  sea- 
son, (if  need  be)  ye  are  in  heaviness  through  manifold  temptations. 
2  Cor.  1: 4.  Who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation,  that  we  may 
be  able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  trouble,  by  the  comfort 
wherewith  we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God.  Job  30: 28.  I  went 
mourning  without  the  sun,  &c. 

g  Isa.  8:17.  And  I  will  wait  upon  the  Lord  that  hideth  his  face 
from  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  I  will  look  for  him. 

h  Zcch.  12: 10.  And  I  will  pour  upon  the  house  of  David,  and  up- 
on the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the  spirit  of  grace  and  suppli- 
cation and  they  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have  pierced,  and 
they  shall  mourn  for  him,  as  one  that  mourneth  for  his  only  son, 
and  shall  be  in  bitterness  for  him,  as  one  that  is  in  bitterness  for 
bis  first  born.    Ezek.  36:31,32.  Then  shall  ye  remember  your  own 


SECT.    II.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  141 

Good  cause  I  have  still  to  be  sad,' 
Good   reason  always  to  be  glad.J 
Hence  still  my  joys  with  sorrows  meet,* 
And  still  my  teats  are  bitter  sweet.' 

I'm  cross'd,  and  yet  have  all  my  will;"" 
I'm  always  empty,  always  full." 
I  hunger  now,  and  thirst  no  more," 
Yet  do  more  eager  than  beiore.p 

evil  ways,  and  your  doings  that  were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe  your- 
selves in  your  own  sight,  for  your  iniquities,  and  for  your  abomina- 
tions. Not  for  your  sakes  do  I  tliis,  saith  the  Lord  God,  be  it 
known  unto:  Be  ashamed  and  confoiuided  for  your  own  ways,  O 
house  of  Israel.  Hos.  12:.3,4.  He  [Jacob]  took  his  brother  by  the 
heel  in  the  womb,  and  by  his  strength  he  had  power  with  God, 
yea,  he  had  power  over  the  Ang-el,  and  prevailed:  He  wept  and 
made  supplication  unto  him :  He  found  him  in  Betliel,  and  there 
he  s  lake  with  us.  Luke  7:  38.  And  [a  woman  which  was  a  sinner] 
sto  d  at  his  feet  behind  him  weeping,  and  bogan  to  wash  his  feet 
withtenrs,  and  did  wipe  them  with  the  hairs  of  her  head,  and  kiss- 
ed his  teot,  and  anointed  tlieni  with  tiie  ointment.  John  20: 15,16. 
Jesus  saitJi  unto  her,  VVomnn,  wJiy  weepest  thou?  whom  seekest 
thou?  slio  supposing  him  to  be  the  gardener,  saith  unto  him.  Sir,  if 
thou  hast  borne  him  hence,  tell  me  where  thou  hast  laid  him,  and 
I  will  take  him  away.  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  Mary,  She  turned  her- 
self, and  saith  unto  him,  Rabboni,  which  is  to  say  Master.  Ver. 
20.  Then  were  the  disciples  glad  when  they  saw  the  I/ord. 

i  Rom.  7:24.  O  wri?tchcd  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me 
from  the  body  of  this  death? 

j  2  Cor.  2:14.  Thanks  be  unto  God,  which  always  causeth  us  to 
triumph  in  Christ. 

k  2  Cor.  6: 20.  As  sorrowful  vet  always  rejoicing, 

IZech.  12:10.  See  letter  h.  Psalm  126:5.  They  that  sow  in 
tears,  shall  reap  in  joy.  Isa.  61:  2, .3.  Tlie  Lord  liatli  sent  me  to 
cornfoi't  all  that  mourn:  To  appoint  unto  them  that  mourn  in 
Zion,  to  give  unto  tiiem  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourn- 
ing, the  garment  of  praise,  tor  the  sjjirit  of  heaviness,  (fee,  Matth. 
5:  4.  Blessed  are  they  that  mom-n  :  For  they  shall  be  comforted. 

m  Luke  22:42.  Father,  iftliou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup  from 
me:  Nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but  tliiiie  be  done.  Act?-.  21:14. 
And  when  ac  [Paul]  would  not  be  persuaded,  we  ceased,  sayiiig, 
The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

n  2  Cor.  6:10.  As  having  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all  things* 

o  John  6:35.  And  Jesus  said  unto  them,  I  am  the  bread  of  life,, 
he  that  cometh  to  me  shall  never  hunger;  and  he  that  believeth  on 
me,  shall  never  thirst. 

p  Psalm  42  :1,2.  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the   water-brooks,  so 


142  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAKT  III. 

With  meat  and  drink  indeed  I'm  blest,* 
Yet  feed  on  hunger,  drink  on  thirst. ■■ 
My  hunger  brings  a  plenteous  store," 
My  plenty  makes  me  hunger  moie.* 

Strange  is  the  place  of  my  abode, 
I  dwell  at  home,  I  dwell  abroad." 

panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God.  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for 
the  living' God :  When  shall  I  come  and  appear  belbre  God?  and 
63:1.  O  God,  thou  art  my  God,  early  will  I  seek  thee:  my  soul 
thirsteth  for  thee,  my  flesh  long'eth  for  thee  in  a  dry  and  thirsty 
land  where  no  water  is.  And  73:  25.  WJiom  have  I  in  heaven  but 
thee?  and  there  is  none  upon  eartli  that  I  desire  besides  thee. 
Isa.  26:8,9.  Yea,  in  the  way  of  thy  judgments  O  Lord,  have  we 
waited  for  thee;  the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  tliy  name,  and  to  the 
remembrance  of  thee.  With  my  soul  have  I  desired  tliee  in  the 
night,  yea,  with  my  spirit  within  me  will  I  seek  thee  early. 

c]  John  6:35.  For  my  flesli  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink 
indeed.  } 

r  .Tob  2'):2,-^,4.  Oh  that  I  were  as  in'months  past,  as  In  the  days 
when  God  preserved  me;  wiien  his  candle  ^liacd  upon  my  head, 
and  when  by  his  liy^ht  I  walked  tlirouoh  darknjpss;  as  I  was  in  the 
days  of  iny  youth,  when  the  secret  of  God  was  upon  my  tabernacle. 
Psal.  77:10,11,13.  I  will  remember  the  years  of  the  rigiit  hand  of 
the  Most  Higli,  I  will  remember  the  works  of  the  Lord;  surely  I 
will  reinetnher  thy  wonders  of  old.  I  will  meditate  also  of  all  t!iy 
work,  and  talk  of  tliy  doings.  Song  5:8.  I  charge  you,  O  daugh- 
ters of  Jerusalem,  if  ye  find  my  Beloved,  tJiat  ye  tell  him  that  I  am 
sick  of'love.  Chap.  8: 1.  O  that  thou  wert  as  my  brotlier  that  suck- 
ed the  breasts  of  my  mother!  when  I  should  find  thoe  without,  I 
would  kiss  thee,  yea,  I  should  not  be  despised. 

s  Matth.  5:6.  Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  af- 
ter rigliteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled. 

t  2  Cor.  5:2.  For  in  this  we  groan,  earnestly  desiring  to  be  cloth- 
ed upon  with  our  house  which  is  from  heaven.  Phil.  1:23.  For  I 
am  in  a  strait  betwixt  two,  having  a  desire  to  depart  and  to  be 
with  Christ;  which  is  far  better,  &c.  Song  2:  3,4,5.  I  sat  down 
under  his  shadow  with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  unto 
my  taste.  Ho  brought  me  to  the  banqueting-house,  aiwl  his  ban- 
ner over  me  wps  love.  Stay  ine  with  flagons,  comfort  me  with 
apples;  lor  I  ai'i  sick  of  love. 

u  Job  4:19.  How  much  less  them  that  dwell  in  houses  of  clay, 
whose  'bund  ition  is  in  the  dust,  which  are  crushed  before  the  moth? 
Psal.  90:1.  Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place  in  all  genera- 
tions, and  01:1.  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most 
High,  shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty.  1  John  4: 
16.  God  is  love;  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and 
God  in  him. 


SECT.  I.  THE   believer's   KIDDIE.  143 

I  am  not  where  all  men  may  see, 
But  where  I  never  yet  could  be.^ 

I'm  full  of  hell,''  yet  full  of  heav'n;« 
I'm  still  upright,''  yet  still  uneven;* 
Imperfect,"  yet  a  perfect  saintj" 
I'm  ever  poor,'=  yet  never  want.* 

No  mortal  eye  sees  God  and  lives;'' 
Yet  sight  of  him  my  soul  revives;*" 
I  live  best  when   I  see  most   bright;^ 
Yet  live  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight. "^ 

V  Isa.  33:16.  He  shall  dwell  on  high;  his  place  of  defence  shall 
be  the  munition  of  rocks.  Eph.  2:6.  And  hath  raised  us  up  tog-e- 
ther,  and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

wEccl.  9:13.  The  heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  full  of  evil,  and 
madness  is  in  their  heart  while  they  live,  and  after  that  they  go  to 
the  dead. 

xEph.  3:19.  And  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth 
knowledge,  that  yc  might  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

y  Psalm  18:23.  I  was  also  upright  before  him;  and  I  kept  my- 
self from  mine  iniquity. 

z  Ezek.  18:25.  Hear  now,  O  house  of  Israel,  are  not  your  ways 
unequal? 

a  Rev.  3: 2.  Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  which  re- 
main,  that  are  ready  to  die;  for  I  have  not  found  thy  works  per- 
fect before  God. 

b  1  Cor.  2:6.  Howbeit  wo  speak  wisdom  among  them  that  are 
perfect,  &c. 

c  Psalm  40:17.  But  I  am  poor  and  needy,  yet  the  Lord  thinketh 
upon  mc. 

d  Psa.  23:  1.  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  shall  not  want;  and 
34:10.  The  young  lions  do  lack  and  do  suffer  hunger;  but  they 
that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good  thing. 

e  Exod.  33:20.  And  he  said,  Thou  canst  not  see  my  face,  for 
there  shall  no  man  see  mc,  and  live. 

f  John  6:  40.  And  this  is  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  that  every 
one  which  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on  liim,  may  have  everlast- 
ing life.  Chap.  20: 30.  Then  were  the  disciples  glad  when  they 
saw  the  Lord. 

g  2  Cor.  3:18.  But  we  all  with  open  face  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from 
glory  to  glory,  cvon  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  Chap.  4:6.  For 
God  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shin- 
ed  in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 
God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

h  Gal.  2: 20.  I  am  crucified  with  Christ;  nevertlielees  I  live,  yat 


144  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   XIE. 

I'm  lib'ral,'  yet  have  naught  to  spare;'* 
Most  richly  cloth'd,"  yet  stript  and   bare^' 
My  stock  is  risen  by  my  fall;"" 
For,  having  nothing,  I  have  all." 

I'm  sinful;"  yet  I  have  no  sin;? 
All  spotted  o'er,-  yet  whoily  clean.' 
Blackness  and   beauty  both  I  share, 
A  hellish  black,  a  heavenly  fair.* 

not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me;  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the 
flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  w)io  loved  me,  and  gave 
himself  for  me.     2  Cor.  5:  7.  For  we  walk  by  faith,  not  by  siglit. 

i  Psa.  27: 21.  The  wicked  borrowetli,  and  payetli  not  again;  but 
the  righteous  showeth  mercy,  and  giveth. 

j  Zeph.  3:12.  I  will  also  leave  in  the  midst  of  thee  an  afflicted 
and  poor  people,  and  they  shall  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

k  Isa.  61: 10.  I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be 
joyful  in  my  God,  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  garments  of  sal- 
vation, he  Iiath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of  righteousness,  as  a 
bridegroom  decketh  himself  with  ornaments,  and  as  a  bride  adora- 
eth  herself  with  her  jewels. 

1  Ezek.  16:  7.  I  have  caused  thee  to  multiply  as  the  bud  of  the 
field,  and  thou  hast  increased  and  waxen  great,  and  thou  art  come 
to  excellent  ornaments;  thy  breasts  are  fasliioned,  and  thine  hair  is 
grown,  whereas  thou  wast  naked  and  bare.  Rev.  3: 17.  Because 
thou  sayest,  I  am  rich,  and  increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of 
nothing;  and  knowest  not  that  thou  art  wretched,  and  miserable, 
and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked. 

m  Rom.  8: 28.  And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according 
to  his  purpose. 

n  2  Cor.  6:10.  As  having  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all  things. 

o  Rom.  7: 14.  For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual,  but  I  am 
carnal,  sold  under  sin.  Ver.  24.  O  wretched  man  that  I  am,  who 
shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death? 

p  Num.  23:21.  He  hath  not  beheld  iniquity  in  Jacob,  neither 
hath  he  seen  perverseness  in  Israel.  1  John  3: 9.  Whosoever  is 
born  of  God,  doth  not  commit  sin;  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him; 
and  he  cannot  sin  because  he  is  born  of  God. 

q  Psalm  14:3.  They  are  all  gone  aside,  they  are  altogether  be- 
come filthy  :  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no  not  one. 

r  Song  4:7.  Thou  art  fair,  my  love,  there  is  no  spot  in  thee. 

sSong  1:5.  I  am  black,  but  comely,  O  ye  daugliters  of  Jerusa- 
lem, as  the  tents  of  Kedar,  as  the  curtains  of  Solomon.  Ver.  15. 
Behold,  thou  aft  fair,  my  love;  behold,  thou  art  fair,  thou  hast  doves 
eyes. 


SECT.  II.  THE  Seliever's  kidolz;.  145 

They're  of  the  devil  who  sin  amain:' 
But  I'm  of  God,  yet  sin  retain:" 
This  traitor  vile  the  throne  assumes/ 
Prevails,  yet  never  overcomes." 

I'm  without  guile,  an  Israelite;* 
Yet  like  a  guileful  hypocrite;* 
Maintaining  truth  in  th'  inward  part,* 
With  falsehood  rooted  in  my  heart." 

Two  masters  sure,  I  cannot  serve," 
But  must  from  one  regardless  swerve; 
Yet  self  is  for  my  master  known," 
And  Jesus  is  my  Lord  alone.* 

1 1  John  3:8.  He  that  commilteth  sin,  is  of  the  devil;  for  the 
devil  sinneth  from  the  beginning. 

u  1  John  1:8.  If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  our- 
selves, and  the  truth  is  not  in  us. 

V  Rom.  7:23.  But  I  see  another  law  in  my  member.s,  warring- 
against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the 
law  of  sin  which  is  in  my  members. 

w  Psalm  65:3.  Iniquities  prevail  against  mo  :  as  for  our  trans- 
gressions, thou  shalt  purge  them  away.  Rom.  6:14.  For  sin  shall 
not  have  dominion  over  you;  for  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  un- 
der grace. 

X  John  1:47.  Jesus  saw  Nathaniel  coming  to  him,  and  saith  of 
him,  Behold  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  is  no  guile.  Psalm  32:2. 
Blessed  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  imputeth  not  iniquity, 
and  in  whose  spiritthere  is  no  guile. 

y  Psalm  19:12.  Who  can  understand  his  errors?  cleanse  thou 
me  from  secret  faults. 

z  Psalm  51: 6.  Behold  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts; 
and  in  the  hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to  know  wisdom. 

a  Matth.  15:19.  For  out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  mur- 
ders, adiiltcries,  fornications,  thefts,  false-witness,  blasphemies, 

b  Mattli.  6: 24.  No  man  can  serve  two  masters :  for  either  he 
will  hate  the  one,  and  love  the  other;  or  else  he  will  hold  to  tha 
one,  and  despise  the  other.     Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon, 

c  Hos.  10: 1.  Israel  is  an  empty  vine,  he  bringeth  forth  fruit  un- 
to himself;  according  to  the  multitude  ofhis  i'niit,  he  hath  increas- 
ed the  altars;  according  to  the  goodness  of  his  land,  they  havf 
made  goodly  images.  Matth.  16:24.  Then  said  Jesus  unto  his 
disciples,  If  any  man  will  come  atler  me,  let  liim  deny  himself^  and 
take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me. 

d  Isa  26: 13.  O  Lord  our  God,  other  lords  beside  thee  have  hari 
dominion  over  us;  but  by  thee  only   will   we  r.ia;:o  mention  of  thy 
name.    John  2(1:28.  And  Thomas  answered  and   said   unto  him. 
My  Lord,  and  ray  God- 
13 


M6^  eOSPEl   SONNETS,  PART  Illf* 

I  seek  myself  incessantly,*^ 
Yet  daily  do  myself  deny/ 
To  me  'tis  lawful  evermore 
Myself  to  love  and  to  abhorc« 

In  this  vain  world  I  IJve,  yet  see 
I'm  dead  to  it  and  it  to  me.'' 
My  joy  is  endless,'  yet  at  best 
Does  hardly  for  a  moment  last." 

Skct.  hi.    Mysteries  about  the   Saints'  work  and   warfare,  their 
sins,  sorrows,  and  joys. 

Ike  work  is  great  I'm  call'd  unto," 
Yet  nothing's  left  for  me  to  do:'' 

e  James  4: 3.  Ye  ask  and  receive  not,  because  ye  ask  amiss,  thai 
ye  may  consume  it  upon  yonr  lusts  .  Jer.  45:2,5,  Tims  saith  the' 
Lord  the  God  of  Israel  unto  thee,  O  Baruch.  And  seekest  thou- 
great  things  for  Ihyselt  ?  Seek  them  not;  for  behold,  I  will  bring^ 
ovil  upon  all  flesh,  saith  the  Lord:  Bat  thy  life  v/ill  I  give  unto  thee 
for  a  prev,  in  all  places  whither  thou  goest- 

f  Matti).  16:24.  See  letter  c. 

g  Lev.  i9*.18.  Thou  shalt  not  avenge  nor  Sear  any  grudge  against 
the  children  of  thy  people,  but  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self— I  am  the  Lord.  Epli,  5:29^  For  no  man  ever  yet  hated  his 
own  flesh;  but  nourisheth  and  cherisheth  it,  even  as  the  Lord  the 
church.  John  12: 25,  He  that  loveth  his  life  shall  loose  it:  and  he 
that  loseth  his  life  in  this  world,  shall  keep  it  unto  life  eternal- 
Job  42: 6.  Wherelbre  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes. 

h  Col.  o:  3.  For  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in 
God.  Gal.  6:14.  But  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the 
cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  un- 
to me,  and  I  unto  the  world, 

i  John  16:22.  And  ye  now  therefore  have  sorrow?  but  I  will  see 
you  again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  joy  no  man  ta- 
keth  from  you.  2  Thess,  2: 16.  Now  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  him- 
self, and  God  the  Father,  which  hath  loved  hs,  and  halh  given  us;* 
everlasting  consolation,  and  good  hope  through  grace,  &c. 

k  Psalm  30: 7.  Lord,  by  thy  favor,  thou  hast  made  my  mountain 
to  stand  strong:  thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubipd,  Isa.- 
49: 13,14.  Sing,.  O  heavens,  and  be  joyful,  O  earth;  and  break  forth 
into  singing,0  mountains:  for  the  Lord  hath  comforted  his  people, 
and  will  have  mercy  upon  his  afflicted.  But  Zion  said.  The  Lord 
hatli  forsaken  rne,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me. 

a  Phil.  2: 12.  Wlierefbre,  my  beloved,  as  ye  have  always  obeyed^ 
not  as  in  my  presence  only,  but  now  much  more  in  my  absences 
work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling. 

b  Phil.  2: 13.  For  it  is  God  which  worketh  in  you^  both  to  wilJ 


SECT.  in.  THE   BELIEVER"'s   RIDDLE.  14t7 

Hence  for  my  work  Heaven  has  prepar'd 
No  wages,<^  yet  a  great  reward.* 

To  works,  but  not  to  working  dead:* 
From  sin,  but  not  from  sinning  freed,* 
1  clear  myself  from  no  oflence,^ 
Yet  wash  mine  hands  in  innocence," 

My  Father's  anger  burns  like  fire,' 
Without  a  spark  of  furious  ire:-* 

and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  Lev.  20:  7,8.  Sanctify  yourselves 
therefore,  and  be  ye  holy;  for  I  ain  the  Lord  your  God.  And  ye 
shall  keep  my  statutes,  and  do  tliem:  I  am  the  Lord  which  sancti- 
fy you. 

c  Rom.  6: 23.  For  the  wages  of  sin  is  death :  but  the  gift  of  God 
is  eternal  life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Chap.  11:6.  And 
if  by  grace,  then  it  is  no  more  of  works;  otherwise  grace  is  no 
more  grace.  But  if  it  be  of  works,  then  it  is  no  more  grace;  other- 
wise work  is  no  more  work. 

d  Psalm  19: 11.  Moreover,  by  them  [the  judgments  of  the  Lord] 
8S  thy  servant  warned;  and  in  keojnng  of  them  there  is  great  re- 
ward. Psalm  58:11.  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous; 
verily  he  is  a  God  that  judgsth  in  the  earth, 

e  Rom.  7:4.  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  ye  also  arc  become  dead 
to  the  law  by  the  body  of  Christ;  that  ye  should  be  married  to 
another,  even  to  him  who  is  raised  from  the  dead,  that  we  should 
bring  forth  fruit  unto  God.  Gal.  2: 19.  For  I  through  the  law  am 
dead  to  the  law,  that  I  might  live  unto  God. 

f  1  John  1:8.  If  we  say  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves, 
and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  Chap.  3:9.  Whosoever  is  born  of  God, 
doth  not  commit  sin,  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him;  and  he  can- 
not sin,  because  he  is  born  of  God. 

g  Rom.  7:18:  Fori  know,  that  in  me  (that  is,  in  my  flesh,) 
dwelleth  no  good  thing;  tor  to  v.  ill  is  present  with  me;  but  how  to 
perform  that  which  is  good,  I  find  not. 

h  Psalm  26:6.  I  will  wash  mine  hands  in  innocency;  so  will  I 
compass  tliine  altar,  O  Lord. 

i  1  Kings  11:9.  And  the  Lord  was  angry  with  Solomon,  because 
his  heart  was  turned  from  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  which  had  ap- 
peared unto  huTi  twice^ 

j  Isa.  27:4.  Fury  is  not  in  me.  Chap.  54:9.  For  this  is  as  the 
■waters  of  Noah  unto  me :  for  as  I  have  sworn  that  the  waters  ofNo- 
ah  should  no  more  go  over  the  earth;  so  have  I  sworn  that  I  would 
not  be  wroth  with  thee,  nor  rebuke  thee.  For  the  mountains  shall 
depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed;  but  my  kindness  shall  not  de- 
part  from  thee,  neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  reinovedj 
«aith  the  Lord,  that  hath  mercy  on  tliee. 


148  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  IIX. 

Though  still  my  sins  displeasing  be,* 
Yet  still,  I  know  he's  pleas'd  with  me* 

Triumphing  is  my  constant  trade^" 
Who  yet  am  oft  a  captive  led." 
My  bloody  war  does  never  cease,* 
Yet  I  maintain  a  stable  peace. » 

My  foes  assaulting  conquer  me. 
Yet  ne'er  obtain  the  victory;* 
For  all  my  battles  lost  or  won, 
Were  gain'd  before  they  were  begun.^ 

I'm  still  at  ease,  and  still  opprest; 
Have  constant  trouble,  constant  rest;* 

k  Hab.  1:13.  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil,  and 
canst  not  look  on  iniquity.  Jer,  44:4.  Howbeit,  I  sent  unto  you 
(dl  my  servants  the  prophets,  rising  early,  and  sending  them,  say- 
irtg,-0  So  not  this  abominable  thing  that  I  hate. 

Ji<Jiat^,-3;17.  And  lo,  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  this  is  my 
B^royfed'Son,  in  whom  I  am  we\l  pleased.  Rom.  5:10.  When  we 
^eit<ej  eneynies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Soa^ 
'  c  i^  2  Cor.  2:14.  Now  thanks  be  unto  God  which  always  eauseth 
as 'to  triumph  in  Christ. 

n  Rom.  7: 23,  But  I  see  another  law  in  my  members,  warring 
against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the 
law  of  sin,  which  is  in  my  members. 

o  Rom.  7: 23.  See  letter  o.  1  Tim.  6:12.  Fight  the  good  fight  of 
faith,  &c.  Gal.  5: 17.  For  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and 
tlie  Spirit  against  the  flesh;  and  these  are  contrary  the  one  to  tho 
other;  so  that  ye  cannot  do  the  things  that  ye  would. 

p  Rom,  5:1.  Therefore  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Chriist.     Isa.54: 10.  See  letter  j. 

qRom.  7:23.  See  letter  o.  Chap.  8:37.  Nay,  in  all  these  things 
we  are  more  than  conquerors,  through  him  that  loved  us. 

r  1  Cor.  15:^7.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  givetli  us  the  vie 
tory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

s  2  Cor.  4:8.  We  are  troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  distressed; 
we  are  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair.  John  16:33.  These  things 
have  I  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might  have  peace,  in  the 
world  ye  shall  have  tribulation;  but  be  of  good  cheer,  I  haVe  over- 
come the  world.  Heb.  4: 3.  For  we  which  have  believed,  do  enter 
into  rest. 


fiECT.  in.  THE  believer's   RIDDLE.  14S 

Both  clear  and  cIoudy,V  free  and  bound;" 
Both  dead  and  living/  lost  and  found.* 

Sin  for  my  good  does  work  and  win;* 
Yet  'tis  not  good  for  me  to  sin/ 
My  pleasure  issues  from  my  pain;* 
My  losses  still  increase  my  gain-" 

I'm  healed  even  when  my  plagues  abound," 
Cover'd  with  dust  even  when  I'm  crown'd:'= 

tZech.  14:6,7.  And  it  shall  <;ome  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the 
light  shall  not  be  clear,  nor  dark.  But  it  shall  be  one  day,  which 
-shall  be  known  to  the  Lord,  not  day  nor  night;  but  it  sliall  come 
to  pass,  that  at  evening  time  it  shall  be  light.  Mic.  7:  8.  Rejoice 
not  against  me,  O  mine  enem}';  when  I  fall,  I  shall  arise;  when  I 
sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  light  unto  rae, . 

u  John  8:36,  If  the  Son  therefore  shall  make  you  free,  ye.  shall 
be  free  indeed.  Acts  20;  23.  The  Holy  Gliost  witnesseth  in  ev- 
ery  city,  saying,  that  bonds  and  afflictions  tibide  me. 

V  2  Cor.  6:9.  As  dying,  and  behold  we  live.  Col.  3:3.  For  ye 
are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Clirist  in  God. 

w  Matth.  18:11.  For  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  save  that  which 
was  lost.  Psalm  119:176.  I  have  gone  astray  like  a  lost  sheep, 
seek  thy  servant.  Phil.  3: 9.  And  be  found  in  him,  not  having 
mine  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  AWhjehi' i« 
through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righteousness  which  is  oi  Qii'^hy 
faith.  ;,■;;.       •/:■''> -i.^  : 

X  Rom.  8:98.  And  we  know  thai  all  things  VorktesJtlifet'for 
•good,  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called'  accoVdiiig 
to  his  purpose.  Chap.  11:11.  I  say  then.  Have  thoy  stumbled,  that 
they  should  tall?  God  forbid;  but  rather  through  their  fall  salva- 
tion is  come  unto  the  Gentiles,  for  to  provoke  them  to  jcaloizsy. 

y  Psalm  89:31,32.  If  they  break  my  statutes,  and  keep  not  my 
commandments,  then  will  I  visit  their  transgressions  with  the  rod, 
and" their  iniquity  with  stripes, 

z Psalm  119.67.  Before  I  was  afflicted,  I  went  astray:  but. now 
have  I  kept  thy  word.  Ver.  71.  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  .have  been 
afflicted;  that  I  might  learn  thy  statutes.  James  1^.>  ?j^  breth- 
ren, count  it  all  joy  when  you  fall  into  divers. ';tertj(ptairioTi.s.        ■ 

a  Matth:  10: 39.  He  that  loseth  his  life  fo?.  n^y  sake,  shall  find  it. 
Mark  10:29,30.  And  Jesus  answered  and->said,  Verily  I  stiy  nnto 
you,  There  is  no  man  that  left  house, %ot'^l»ethren,  or  sisters,  or  fa- 
ther, or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  tjrjands  for  nJJ'^^-eVand  the 
gospel's,  but  he  shall  receive 'an'hunglrSdiifo^d  ptym^M'Siiis  time, 
houses,  and  brethren,  and  sifetfer.s,  ah^uotlljsrii;'  ..^d'^dllildren,  and 
lands,  with  persecutions,  and  in  the  Avorld  tcyfeome,  eternal  life. 

bRom.  7:24,25.  O  wretche^J  .mp-n,  that  I' am,  wiio  shall  deliver 
me  from  the  body  of  this  de'atlil  i,  thank  God,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  .*';,, 

c  viz.  with  mercy.  Job  42:5,6t  I  have  heard  of  thee  by  the  fiek*- 

13*  . ;  "'._., 


150  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAET  III. 

As  low  as  death  when  living  high,* 
Nor  shall  I  live,  yet  cannot  die,^ 

For  all  my  sins  my  heart  is  sad. 
Since  God's  dishonor'd;'  yet  I'm  glad. 
Though  once  I  was  a  slave  to  sin,s 
Since  God  does  thereby   honor  win.'' 

My  sins  are  ever  in  his  eye,* 
Yet  he  beholds  no  sin  in  mej' 

liigof  the  ear.-  but  now  mine  eye  seeth  thee.  Wherefore  I  abhor 
myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes.  Ezek.  1 6: 63.  That  thoa 
mayest  remember  and  be  confounded,  and  never  open  tliy  mouth 
any  more,  because  of  thy  shame,  when  I  am  pacified  toward  thee 
for  all  that  thou  hast  done,  saith  the  Lord  Gk)d. 

d  2  Cor.  6:9.  As  dying-,  and  behold  we  live. 

e  Heb.  9: 27.  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die.  John  5: 24 
Verily,  verily  I  say  unto  you.  He  that  heareth  my  word  and  be- 
iieveth  on  him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not 
come  into  condemnation;  but  is  passed  from  death  unto  life.  Chap. 
6:40.  And  this  is  the  wUl  of  him  that  sent  me,  that  every  one  which 
seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  on  him,  may  have  everlasting  life. 
Ver.  50,51.  This  is  the  bread  which  cometh  down  from  heaven, 
that  a  man  may  eat  thereof,  and  not  dig.  I  am  the  living  bread 
which  camo  down  from  heaven;  il'  any  man  eat  of  this  bread  he- 
shall  live  forever;  and  the  bread  that  I  will  give  is  my  Hesh,  which 
I  will  give  for  the  life  of  the  world. 

f  Psalm  51:4.  Against  tliee,  thee  only  have  1  sinned,  and  done 
this  evil  in  thy  sight. 

g-Rom.  6:17.  But  God  be  thanl^ied,  that  ye  were  the  servants  of 
sin;  but  ye  have  obej'ed  from  the  heart  that  foi-m  of  doctrine  whic*b 
was  flelivercd  unto  you. 

hisa.  41:24.  Sing,  O  ye  heavens;  for  tlie  Lord  hath  done  itr 
Shout  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth;  break  forth  into  singing  ye 
mountains,  O  forests,  and  every  tree  therein;  for  the  Lord  hath 
redeemed  Jacob,  and  glorified  himself  in  Israel.  Eph.  1:6.  To  the- 
praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace.  Ver.  12.  That  we  should  be  to- 
the  praise  of  his  glory. 

i  Rev.  3:1.  I  know  tJiy  works,  that  thou  hast  a  name  that  thou 
livest,  and  art  dead.  Ver.  15.  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art 
neither  cold  nor  liot. 

k  Numb.  23: 21 .  He  hath  not  beheld  iniquity  in  Jacob,  neither 
hath  he  seen  perverseness  in  Israel.  Song  4:  7.  Thou  art  all  fair» 
my  love,  there  is  no  spot  in  thee.  Ezek.  16:14.  And  thy  renown 
weni  forth  among  the  heatiien  for  thy  boauty;  for  it  was  perfect 
through  my  comeliness  which  I  had  put  upon  thee,  saith  thie  Lord 
God. 


SECT.  III.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  151 

His  mind  that  keeps  them  all  in  store, 
Will  yet  remember  them  no  more.^ 

Because  my  sins  are  great,  I  feel 

Great  fears  of  heavy  wrath;""  yet  still  , 

For  mercy  seek,  for  pardon  wait, 

Because  ray  sins  are  very  great."  ; 

I  hope  when  plung'd  into  despair," 
I  tremble  when  I  have  no  fear.'' 
Pardon  dispels  my  griefs  and  fears,'^ 
And  yet  dissolves  my  heart  in  tears.' 

1  Isa.  43:25.  I,  even  I  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  transgres' 
sions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins.  Jer, 
31:34.  I  will  forgive  their  iniquity,  and  I  will  remember  their  sins 
no  more.  Heb.  8:12.  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteousness, 
and  their  sins  and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more. 

m  Ezra  9: 13,14.  And  after  all  that  is  come  upon  us  for  our  evil 
deeds,  and  for  our  great  trespass,  seeing  tliat  thou  our  God  hast 
punished  us  loss  than  our  iniquities  deserve,  and  hast  given  us  such 
deliverance  as  this,  should  we  again  break  thy  commandments,  and 
join  in  affinity  with  the  people  of  these  abominations'?  wouldst  not 
thou  be  angry  with  us  till  thou  hadst  consumed  us,  so  that  there 
should  be  no  remnant  nor  escaping?  Psa.  38:2.  O  Lord,  rebuke 
me  not  in  thy  wrath;  neither  chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

n  Psalm  25:11.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  ini- 
quity; for  it  is  great.  Jer.  14:7.  O  Lord,  though  our  iniquities  tes- 
tify against  us,  do  thou  it  for  thy  name's  sake;  for  our  backsUdings 
are  many,  we  have  sinned  against  thee. 

o  Rom.  4:18.  Who  [Abraham]  against  hope  believed  in  hope, 
2  Cor.  1:8,9.  For  we  would  not,  brethren,  have  you  ignorant  of  our 
trouble  which  came  to  us  in  Asia,  that  we  were  pressed  out  of 
measure,  above  strength,  insomuch  that  we  despaired  even  of  life: 
but  we  had  the  sentence  of  death  in  ourselves,  that  we  should  not 
trust  in  ourselves,  but  in  God  which  raiseth  the  dead. 

p  Phil.  2: 12.  VVherefbre,  my  beloved,  as  ye  have  always  obeyed, 
not  as  in  my  presence  only,  but  now  much  more  in  my  absence; 
work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  Luke  1:74. 
That  he  would  grant  unto  us,  that  we  being  delivered  out  of  the 
hands  of  our  enemies,  might  serve  him  wnthout  fear, 

q  Matth.  9:2.  Jesus  said  unto  the  sick  of  the  palsy,  Son,  be  of 
good  cheer,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee. 

r  Ezek.  36:25,26.  Then  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  clean;  from  all  your  filthiness,  and  from  all  your 
idols  will  I  cleanse  you.  A  new  heart  also  will  I  give  you,  and  a 
new  spirit  will  I  pat  within  you;  and  I  will  take  away  the  stony 
heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart  of  flesh.  Ver. 
31.  Then  shall  ye  remember  your  owu  evil  ways,  and  your  doings 


152  OOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAHT   III. 


Sect.  rr.     Mysteries  in  faith's  extiactions,  way  and  walk,  pray- 
ers and  answers,  heights  and  depths,  fear  and  love. 

With  wasps  and  bees  my  busy  bill 
Sucks  ill  from  good,  and  good  from  ill:" 
Humility  makes  my  pride  to  grow, 
And  pride  aspiring  lays  me  low.*" 

My  standing  does  my  fall  procure," 
My  falling  makes  me  stand  more  sure.^ 

that  were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe  yourselves  in  your  own  sight 
for  your  own  iniquities,  and  for  your  abominations.  Chap.  16:63. 
That  thou  mayest  remember  and  be  confounded,  and  never  open 
thy  moath  any  more,  because  of  thy  shame,  wlien  I  am  pacified 
toward  thee  for  all  that  thou  hast  done,  saith  the  Lord  God. 

a  Rom.  2:4.  Or  despisest  thou  the  riclies  of  his  goodness,  and 
forbearance,  and  long  suffering :  not  knowing  that  the  goodness 
of  God  leadeth  thee  to  repentance?  Chap.  6:1,2.  What  shall  we 
eay  then?  shall  we  continue  in  sin,  that  grace  may  abound?  God 
forbid;  how  shall  we  that  arc  dead  to  sin  live  any  longer  therein? 
Ver.  15.  What  then?  shall  we  sin,  because  we  are  not  under  the 
law,  but  under  grace?  God  forbid.  Chap.  8:28.  And  we  know 
that  all  things  work  together  for  good,  to  them  that  love  God,  to 
them  who  a-e  the  called  according  to  his  purpose.  Phil.  1:12. 
But  I  would  ye  should  understand,  brethren,  that  the  tilings  which 
happened  unto  me,  have  fallen  out  unto  the  furtherance  of  the  gos- 
pel. Psalm  119:71.  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted; 
that  I  might  learn  thy  statutes. 

b  2  Cor.  12:7.  And  lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure, 
through  the  abundance  of  the  revelations,  there  was  given  to  me  a 
thorn  in  the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest  I 
be  exalted  above  measure.  Prov.  29: 23.  A  man's  pride  shall  bring 
him  low;  but  honor  shall  uphold  the  humble  in  spirit.  2  Chron. 
32:26.  Hezekiah  humbled  himself  for  the  pride  of  his  heart,  (both 
he  and  the  inhabitants  of  .Jerusalem,)  so  that  the  wrath  of  the 
Lord  came  not  upon  them  in  the  days  of  Hezekiah. 

cPsalm  30:  6,7.  And  in  my  prosperity  I  said,  I  shall  never  be 
moved.  Lord,  by  thy  favor  thou  hast  made  my  mountain  to  stand 
strong;  thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled. 

d  Prov.  24: 16.  For  a  just  man  falleth  seven  times,  and  risethup 
again.  Psalm  37: 24.  Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cask 
down;  for  the  Lord  upholdeth  him  with  his  hand. 


SECT.    IV.  THE   believer's    RIDDLE.  153 

My  poison  does  my  physic  prove,* 
My  enmity  provokes  my  love.' 

My  poverty  infers  my  wealth, s 
My  sickness  issues  in  my  health:" 
My  hardness  tends  to  make  me  soft,' 
And  killing  things  do  cure  me  oft.J 

While  high  attainments  cast  me  down, 
My  deep  abasements  raise  me  soon:" 

e  2  Cor.  12:7,8.  And  lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure, 
through  the  abundance  of  the  revelations,  there  was  given  to  me 
a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest  I 
should  be  exalted  above  measure.  For  this  thing  I  besought  the 
Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  depart  from  me,  Isa.  27:8,9.  In  measure 
when  it  shooteth  forth,  thou  wilt  debate  witli  it;  ho  stayeth  his 
rough  wind  in  the  day  of  his  east  wind.  By  this,  therefore,  shall 
tlie  iniquity  of  Jacob  be  purged,  and  this  is  all  the  fruit  to  take 
away  his  sin. 

f  Gal.  5:27.  The  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit 
against  the  flesh.  Vcr.  24.  And  they  that  are  Christ's  have  cruci- 
fied the  flesh,  with  the  affections  and  lust. 

g  Rev.  2:9.  I  know  thy  poverty,  but  thou  art  rich.  2  Cor.  6:iO, 
— as  having  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all  things. 

h  Matth.  9:12.  They  that  be  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but 
they  that  are  sick.  Isa.  57:17,18.  For  the  ini(iuity  of  his  cove, 
t<jusness  was  I  wroth,  and  smote  him:  I  hid  me  and  was  wroth, 
and  he  went  on  frowardly  in  the  way  of  his  heart,  I  have  seen  his 
ways,  and  will  heal  him:  I  will  lead  him  also,  and  restore  comforts 
unto  him,  and  to  his  mourners, 

i  Isa.  63:17.  O  Lord,  why  hast  thou  made  us  err  from  thy  ways? 
and  hardened  our  hearts  from  thy  fear?  Return  for  tliy  servants' 
sake,  the  tribes  of  thine  inheritance. 

j  2  Cor.  1:9.  But  we  had  the  sentence  of  death  in  ourselves, 
t);at  we  should  not  trust  in  ourselves,  hut  in  God,  which  raiseth 
the  dead.  Hos.  5:15.  I  will  go  and  return  to  my  place,  till  they 
acknowledge  their  offence,  and  seek  my  face;  in  their  affliction 
they  will  seek  mc  early.  Chap.  6:1,  Come  and  let  us  return  unto 
the  Lord;  for  he  hath  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us;  he  hath  smitten, 
and  he  will  bind  us  up. 

k  1  Pet.  5:6.  Be  subject  one  to  anri;h->r,  and  bo  clothed  with  hu- 
mility; for  God  resistetli  tlie  proud,  and  givetfi  grace  to  the  hum' 
ble.  Humble  yourselves  therefore  under  the  mighty  hand  cf  God, 
that  he  may  exalt  you  in  due  time.  Psalm  116;  6,  I  was  brought 
low,  and  he  helped  rae, 


154  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   III. 

My  best  things  oft  have  evil  brood,' 

My  worst  things  woik  my  greatest  good." 

My  inward  foes  that  me  alarm, 
Breed  me  much  hurt,  yet  little  harm." 
I  get  no  good  by  Ihem,*  yet  see 
To  my  chief  good  they  cause  me  flee." 

They  reach  to  me  a  deadly  stroke,? 
Yet  send  me  to  a  living  rock.* 
They  make  me  long  for  Canaan's  banks,' 
Yet  sure  I  owe  them  little  thanks. 

1  Psalm  30:6,7.  And  in  my  prosperity  I  said,  I  shall  never  be 
moved.  Lord,  by  thy  favor  thou  hast  made  my  mountain  to  stand 
strong  :  thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled.  Deut.  32 : 
14,1.').  Butter  of  kine,  and  milk  of  sheep,  with  fat  of  lambs  and  rams 
of  the  breed  of  Bashan,  and  goats,  with  the  fat  of  kidneys,  of  wheat; 
and  thou  didst  drink  the  pure  blood  of  the  grape.  But  Jeshurun 
waxed  fat,  and  kicked  :  thou  art  waxen  fat,  thou  art  grown  thick, 
thou  art  covered  with  fatness:  then  he  forsook  the  God  which  made 
him,  and  lighUy  esteemed  the  rock  ol'his  salvation.  Psalm  106:  7. 
Our  fathers  understood  not  thy  wonders  in  Egypt,  they  remember- 
ed not  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies,  but  provoked  him  at  the  sea, 
even  at  the  Red  sea. 

m  Psalm  20:11.  Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourning  into 
dancing:  tiiou  hast  put  off  my  sackcloth,  and  girded  me  with  glad- 
ness.    Rom.  8:28.  Soe  letter  a. 

n  Jer.  10:19.  Wo  is  nje  for  my  hurt,  my  wound  is  grievous;  but 
I  said.  Truly  this  is  a  griet^  and  1  must  bear  it.  1  Pet.  3:13.  And 
who  is  he  that  will  harm  you,  if  ye  be  followers  of  that  which  is 


*»?'«.  in  themselves,  but  much  evil.  1  Pet.  2:11.  Dearly  beloved, 
I  beseech  you  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain  from  fleshly  lusts, 
which  war  against  the  soul.  James  1:14,15.  But  every  man  is 
tempted  when  he  is  drawn  away  by  his  own  lust,  and  enticed. 
Then  when  lust  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin;  and  sin, 
when  it  is  finislied,  bringeth  forth  death. 

o  Psalm  143:9.  Deliver  me  O  Lord,  from  mine  enemies;  I  flee 
unto  thee  to  liide  me. 

pRom.  8:13.  Ifye  live  afler  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die. 

q  Ps.ihn  18:46,47.  The  Lord  livetli,  and  blessed  be  my  rock; 
and  let  the  God  of  my  salvation  be  exalted.  It  is  God  that  aveng- 
eth  me,  and  subduetli  the  people  under  me. 

r  Psalm  5.5: 6.  And  I  said,  O  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove!  ibr 
then  would  I  fly  away  and  be  at  rest.  And  120:5.  Wo  is  me  that 
I  sojourn  in  Mesech,  that  I  dwell  in  the  tents  of  Kedar.  Rom.  8: 
20,22,23.  For  he  (the  creature)  was  made  subject  to  vanity,  not 
willingly,  but  by  reason  of  him   who  hath  subjected  the  same  in 


SECT.  IV.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  1-5& 

J  travel,'  yet  stand  firm  and  fast;* 
I  run,"  but  yet  I  make  no  haste. '^ 
I  take  away  both  old  and  new,* 
Within  my  sight,''  yet  out  of  view.' 

My  way  directs  me  in  the  way," 
And  will  not  suffer  me  to  stray;* 
Though  high  and  out  of  sight  it  be, 
I'm  in  the  way,  the  way's  in  me."* 

hope;  because  the  creature  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  th® 
bondage  of  corruption,  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of 
God:  For  we  know  tiie  whole  creation  groaneth,  and  travaileth 
in  pain,  together  until  now:  and  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also, 
which  have  the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan 
within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption 
of  our  body. 

s  Heb.  11:13.  And  confessed  that  they  were  strtingers  and  pil- 
grims on  the  earth. 

1 1  Cor.  16:13.  Watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith;  quit  you  like 
men,  be  strong. 

u  Heb.  12:1.  Let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before 
us. 

v  Isa.  28:16.  He  that  believeth  shall  not  make  haste. 

wJer.  6:16.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  stand  ye  in  the  ways  and  sec, 
and  ask  ye  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the  good  way,  and  walk 
therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls.  Heb,  10:19,20.  Hav- 
ing, therefore,  brethren,  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  by  a  new  and  living  way,  which  he  hath  consecra- 
ted for  us,  through  the  vail,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh. 

X  1  Cor.  13: 12.  For  we  now  see  through  a  glass,  darkly;  but 
then  face  to  face :  now  I  know  in  part;  but  then  shall  I  know,  even 
as  I  also  am  known, 

y  John  16:10.  I  go  to  my  Father  and  ye  see  me  no  more. 

z  John  14:6.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way: — no  man  com» 
eth  unto  the  Father,  but  by  me. 

a  Isa.  42:16.  And  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they 
know  not;  I  will  lead  them  in  paths  that  they  have  not  known: 
I  will  make  darkness  light  before  them,  and  crooked  things  straight. 
These  things  will  I  do  unto  them,  and  not  forsake  them.  Chap.  55: 
4.  Behold,  I  have  given  him  to  be  a  leader  and  commander  to  the 
people. 

bisa.  35:8.  And  an  highway  shall  bo  there,  and  a  v/ay,  and  it 
shall  be  called  the  way  of  holiness;  the  unclean  shall  not  pass  over 
it,  but  it  sJiall  be  for  tliose;  the  wayfaring  men,  though  fools,  shall 
not  err  tlierein.  John  15:14.  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you.  Chap. 
17:23.  I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect 
in  one,  and  that  the  world  may  know  that  thou  hast  sent  me,  and 
hast  loved  them,  as  thou  hast  loved  me.  Ver.  26.  And  I  have  de- 
clared  unto  them  thy  name,  and  will  declare  it;  that  the  love  where- 
with thou  hast  loved  me,  may  be  in  them,  and  I  in  thein. 


156  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART    11. 

'Tis  straight, <^  yet  full  of  heights  and  depths;* 

I  keep  the  way,"  the  way  me  keeps.' 

And  being  that  to  which  I  tend. 

My  very  way's  my  journey's  end. « 

When  I'm  in  company  I  groan, 

Because  I  tiien  am  most  alone;'' 

Yet  in  my  closest  secrecy, 

I'm  joyful  in  my  company. ' 

I'm  heard  afar,''  without  a  noise; 

I  cry  without  a  lifted  voice,' 

c  Matth.  3:3.  This  is  he  that  was  spoken  of  by  the  prophet 
Esaias,  saying,  Tlie  voice  oi'one  crying-  in  tiie  wilderness,  Prepare 
ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  his  patlis  straight. 

d  Isa.  40:3,4.  The  voice  of  him  tliat  crieth  in  tlie  wilderness, 
Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  malcc  straight  in  the  desert  a  high- 
way for  our  God.  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every  moun- 
tain and  hill  be  made  low:  and  the  crooked  shall  be  made  straight, 
and  the  rough  places  plain.  Chap.  42:16.  See  letter  a.  Psalm 
77:13.  Thy  way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sanctuary.  Vcr.  19.  Thy  way 
is  in  the  sea,  and  thy  path  in  the  great  waters,  and  thy  foot-steps 
are  not  known. 

e  Psalm  37:34.  Wi'it  on  the  Lord,  and  keep  his  way,  and  he 
shall  exalt  thee  to  inherit  the  land. 

f  Psalm  121:3,4.  He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved:  he 
that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber.  Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Is- 
rael, shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 

g  Heb.  12:22,23,24.  But  ye  are  come  unto  mount  Sion,  and  un- 
to the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an 
innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and 
church  of  the  first  born,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God 
the  judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  to 
Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  sprink- 
ling, that  speaketh  better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel.  1  Thess. 
4: 17.  Then  we  wliich  are  alive  and  remain,  shall  be  caught  up  to- 
g6ther  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air;  and 
so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord. 

h  Song  1:3.  Tell  me,  O  thou  whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  thou 
feedest,  where  thou  makest  thy  flock  to  rest  at  noon:  for  why 
should  I  be  as  one  that  turneth  aside  by  the  flocks  of  thy  com- 
panions? 

i  Song  7:11,12.  Come,  my  beloved,  let  us  go  forth  into  the  field, 
let  us  lodge  in  the  villages.  Let  us  get  up  early  to  the  vineyard, 
let  us  see  if  the  vines  flourish,  whether  the  tender  grapes  appear, 
and  the  pomegranates  bud  forth:  for  there  will  I  give  thee  ray 
loves. 

k  Psalm  20:6.  Now  know  I,  that  the  Lord  saveth  his  anointed; 
he  will  hear  him  from  his  holy  heaven,  with  the  saving  strength 
of  his  right  hand. 

1 1  Sam.  1:13,14,15.  Now  Hannah,  she  spake  in  her  heart,  onl;^ 


SECT.  IV,  THE    SKLIEVER's    RIDOLE.  l--*? 

Still  moving  in  devotion's  sphere," 
Yet  seldom  steady  persevere." 

I'm  beard  when  answer'd  soon  or  late;* 
And  heard  when  I  no  answer  gel,p 
Yea,  kindly  answer'd,  when  refus'd," 
And  friendly  treat,  when  harshly  us'd.*^ 

My  fervent  prayers  ne'er  did  prevail,* 
Nor  e'er  of  prevalency  fail.* 
her  lips  moved,  but  her  voice  was  not  heard;  therefore  Eli  thought 
she  had  been  drunken.  And  Eli  said  unto  her,  how  long  wilt 
tliou  be  drunken?  put  away  thy  wine  from  thee.  And  Hannjih 
answered  and  said,  No,  my  lord,  I  am  a  woman  of  a  sorrowful  spi- 
rit: I  have  drunken  neither  wine  nor  strong  drink,  but  have  pour- 
ed out  my  soul  beibre  the  Lord. 

m  1  Thess.  5:1  'i.  Pray  without  ceasing. 

nHos.  6:4.  O  Ephraim,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee?  O  Judah, 
what  shall  I  do  unto  thee?  for  your  goodness  is  as  a  morning  cloud, 
and  as  the  early  dew  it  goeth  away. 

o  Isa.  49:8.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  in  an  acceptable  time  have  1 
heard  thee,  and  in  a  day  of  salvation  have  I  Jielped  thee. 

pMatth.  26:31).  And  Jesus  vi^snt  a  littL*  furtlier,  and  fell  on  his 
face,  and  prayed,  saying,  O  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this 
cup  pass  from  mo,  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt. 

q  Psalm  23;1,2,3.  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  tliou  forsaken 
me?  why  art  thou  so  tar  Irom  helping  nic,  and  from  the  Words  of 
my  roaring?  O  my  God,  I  cry  in  the  day  time,  but  thou  hearest 
not;  and  in  the  night  season,  and  am  not  silent.  But  thou  art  ho^, 
O  thou  that  inhabitest  the  praises  of  Israel. 

r  Heb.  12:5 — 10.  And  ye  have  tbrgotten  the  exhortation  which 
speaketh  unto  you  as  children,  My  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chast- 
ening ofthe  Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him:  For 
whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  eon 
wliom  he  receifbth.  If  ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealetli  with 
you  as  witli  sons;  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  fatlier  chasteneth 
not?  But  if  ye  be  withcat  chastisement,  whereof  all  are  partakers, 
tlien  are  ye  bastards,  and  i:ot  sons.  Furthermore,  we  have  had 
fathers  of  our  flesh,  wliicli  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  reve- 
rence; shall  we  not  much  rather  lo  in  subjection  to  the  Father  of 
spirits,  and  live?  For  they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  afler 
their  own  pleasure;  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be  parta- 
kers of  his  lioliness. 

s  Dan.  9:18,19.  O  my  God,  incline  thine  ear,  and  hear;  open  thine 
eyes,  and  behold  our  desolations,  and  the  city  which  is  called  bv 
thy  name;  for  we  do  not  present  our  supplications  before  thee  for 
our  righteousness,  but  for  thy  great  mercies.  O  Lord,  hear;  O 
Lord,  forgive;  O  Lord,  hoarlcen  and  do;  defer  not  for  thine  own 
sake,  O  my  God;  for  thy  city,  and  thy  people  are  called  by  thy  name, 
t  James  5: 16.  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
sruileth  much. 

14 


lf>%  90SPEL   SONNETS.  PSRT  ^tU 

i  wrestle  till  my  strength  be  spent," 
Yet  yield  when  strong  recruits  are    sent,'^ 

I  languish  for  my  Husband's  charms,* 
Yet  faint  away  when  in  his  arms.* 
My  sweetest  health  doth  sickness  prove," 
When  love  rro  h^aVs,  Pin  ;^;?k  of  love.*'^ 
I  am  most  merry  when  I'm  sau;^ 
Most  full  of  sorrow  when  I'm  glad;* 
Most  precious  when  I  am  most  vile,*" 
And  most  at  home  when  in  exile.' 

•a  Gen,  32:24,25.  And  Jacob  was  left  alone;  and  there  wrestle*! 
1  man  with  liim  until  the  breaking  of  the  day. 

V  Psalm  138r3.  In  the  day  when  I  cried,  thou  answeredst  me^ 
»nd  strengthenedst  me  with  strength  in  my  soul.  Gen,  18:32,33^ 
And  he  said,  Oh  let  not  the  Lord  he  angry,  and  I  will  speak  but 
this  once;  Peradventnre  ten  shall  be  found  there.  And  the  Lord 
went  his  way  as  soon  as  he  had  left  communing  with  Abraham; 
and  Abraham  returned  unto  his  place. 

w  Psalm  63:2.  My  flesh  longeth  to  see  thy  power  and  thy  glo- 
ry, so  as  I  have  seen  thee  in  the  sanctuary.  And  27:4.  One  thing 
have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I  may  dwell 
in  the  house  of  llie  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the  beau- 
ty of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 

X  Rev.  1:17:  And  when  I  saw  him,  I  fell  at  his  feet  as  dead;  and 
he  laid  his  right  Iiand  Upon  me,  saying  unto  me,  Fear  not;  I  ant 
tixe  first  and  the  last, 

y  Song  2:4,.5.  He  brought  me  to  the  banqueting  house,  and  his 
banner  over  me  was  love.  Stay  me  with  flagons,  comfort  me  with 
apples;  for  I  am  sick  of  love. 

z  1  Cor.  7:10.  For  godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  unto  salva- 
tion, not  to  be  repented  of.  Eccl.  7;3.  Sorrow  is  better  than  laugh- 
ter; for  by  the  sadness  of  the  countenance  the  heart  is  made  better, 

a  Prov.  14:13.  Even  in  laughter  the  heart  is  sorrov.ful;  and  the 
end  of  that  mirth  is  heaviness. 

b  Job  40:4  Behold  I  am  vile,  what  shall  I  answer  thee?  I  will 
lay  my  hand  upon  my  mouth.  Chap.  42:5,6.  I  have  Iieard  of  thee 
by  the  hearing  of  the  ear;  but  now  mine  eye  seeth  tiice.  Where- 
fore I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes.  Jer.  31:18,19, 
30.  I  have  surely  heard  Ephraira  bemoaning  himself  thus,  Tliou 
hast  chastised  me,  and  I  was  chastised,  as  a  bullock  unaccustom- 
ed to  the  yoke;  turn  thou  me,  and  I  shall  be  turned;  lor  thou  art 
the  Lord  my  God.  Surely  after  that  I  was  turned,  I  rr  jjcnted,  and 
aft;er  that  I  was  instructed,  I  smote  upon  my  thigh:  I  was  asham- 
ed; yea,  even  confounded,  because  I  did  bear  the  reproach  of  my 
yo\lth.  Is  Ephraim  my  dear  son,  is  he  a  pleasant  child?  (or  since 
i  spake  against  him,  I  do  earnestly  remember  him  stilh  therefore 
tny  bowels  are  troubled  for  him;  I  will  surely  have  mercy  upou 
him,  saith  the  Lord. 

c  Ezek.  l:i.  Now  it  camt  to  pass  in  the  thirtieth  year,  in  the 


«BCT.  IV,  THE    BELIEVER''5    RfODLK.  158 

My  base  and  honorable  birth 
Excites  my  mourning  and  my  mirth,* 
I'm  poor,  yet  stock'd  with  untold  rent,'* 
Most  weak,  and  yet  omnipotent.*^ 

On  earth  there's  none  so- great  and  high,* 
Nor  yet  so  low  and  mean  as  I;*" 

fourth  month,  in  the  fifth  day  of  the  month,  (as  I  was  amoog  the 
<;aptives  by  the  river  of  Chebar,)  that  tlie  heavens  were  opened,  and 
I  saw  visions  of  God.  Rev.  1:9,10.  I  John,  who  also  am  your  bro- 
ther and  companion  in  tribulation,  and  in  the  kinnfilorn  and  pa- 
tience of  Jesus  Christy  was  in  the  isle  tliat  is  called  Patmos,  tor 
tlie  word  of  God,  and  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  was  in 
the  spirit  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  heard  behind  me  a  great  voice, 
as  of  a  trumpet,  &-c.  John  16:32.  Behold,  the  hour  cometh,  yea  is 
now  come,  that  ye  shall  be  scattered,  every  man  to  his  own,  and 
shall  leave  me  alone;  and  yet  I  am  not  alone,  because  the  Father  is 
with  me. 

d  Ezek.  16:3,4.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  unto  Jerusalem,  1% 
birth  and  thy  nativity  is  of  the  land  of  Canaan;  thy  father  was  n.u 
Amorite,  and  thy  mother  an  Hittite.  And  as  for  thy  nativity  In 
the  day  thou  wast  born,  thy  navel  was  not  cut,  neither  wast  thou 
washed  in  water  to  supple  thee:  thou  wast  not  salted  at  all,  nor 
swaddled  at  all.  John  1:13.  Which  were  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of 
the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God.  Psalm  51; 
5.  Baiiold  J.  was  shapen  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my  mother  con- 
ceive me.  2  Pet.  1:3.  Blessed  be  the  (iod  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Clirist,  which,  according  to  his  abundant  mercy,  hatl>  begot 
ten  us  again  unto  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead. 

e  Rev.  3:17.  Because  thou  sayest,  I  am  rich,  and  increased  with 
goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing;  and  knowest  not  that  thou  art 
wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked.  I 
counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that  thou  mayest 
be  rich;  and  white  raiment,  that  thou  mayest  be  cloti'.ed,  and  that 
the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  do  not  appear;  and  anoint  thine  eyes 
with  eye-salve,  that  thou  mayest  see,  Eph.  3:8.  Unto  me  who 
am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  is  this  grace  given,  that  i 
should  preach  among  tlie  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

fJohnl5:.K  Witliout  me  ye  can  do  rothin"-  Phil. ''••13.  lean 
do  all^'iii.^y,  through  Christ  whic!)  ;  .:..ii;;'.:)^.i.Lii  me. 

g  Psalm  16:3.  But  to  the  saints  that  are  in  the  earth,  and  to  the 
excellent,  in  whom  is  all  my  delight.  Isa.  13:4.  Since  thou  wast 
precious  in  iny  sight;  thou  hast  been  honorable,  and  I  have  loved 
thee:  theiefore  will  I  give  men  for  thee,  and  people  for  thy  life. 

h  Eph.  3:8.  See  letter  e.  1  Tim.  1:1.5.  This  is  a  faithful  saying, 
and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Clirist  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners;  of  whom  I  am  tlie  cliief 


1^0  tiOSPBL   SOKHETS.  TAUT   m. 

None  or  so  foolish,'  or  so  wisejJ 
So  often  fall,  so  often  rise." 

I.  seeing  him  I  never  saw,^ 
Serve  without  fear,  and  yet  with  awe,"* 
Though  love,  when  perfect,  fear  remove," 
Yet  most  I  fear  when  most  I  love." 

All  things  are  lawful  unto  rae,p 
Yet  many  things  unlawful  be;* 

i  Psalm  73:22.  So  foolish  was  I,  and  ignorant;  I  was  as  a  beast 
before  thee.  Prov.  30:2,3.  Surely  I  am  more  brutish  than  any 
man,  and  have  not  the  understanding  of  a  man.  I  neither  learn- 
ed wisdom,  nor  have  the  knowledge  of  the  holy. 

j  1  Cor.  1:30.  But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is 
made  unto  us  wisdom,  &-C.  Matth.  11:25,!:36.  At  that  time  Jesus 
answered  and  said,  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  liord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  pru- 
dent, and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes.  Even  so.  Father,  lor  sa 
it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight.  Chap.  13:11.  Jesus  answered  and 
said  unto  them.  Because  it  is  given  unto  you  to  know  the  myste- 
ries of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  to  them  it  is  not  given. 

k  Prov.  24:16.  A  just  man  falleth  seven  times,  and  risetb  up 
again. 

1 1  Pet.  1:8.  Whom  having  not  seen,  ye  love;  in  whom  though 
now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeaka- 
ble, and  full  of  glory.  Heb.  11:1.  Now  faith  is  the  substance  of 
things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen. 

m  Luke  1:74.  That  he  would  grant  unto  us,  that  we  being  de- 
livered out  of  the  hands  of  our  enemies,  might  serve  him  without 
tear.  Heb.  12:28.  Wherefore  we  receiving  a  kingdom  which  can- 
not be  moved,  let  us  have  grace,  whereby  we  may  serve  God  ac- 
ceptably, with  reverence  and  godly  fear. 

n  1  John  4:18.  There  is  no  fear  in  love;  but  perfect  love  castetk 
out  fear,  because  fear  hath  torment;  he  tiiat  feareth  is  not  made 
jerfect  in  love. 

o  Jcr.  33:9.  And  it  shall  be  to  me  a  name  and  joy,  a  praise  and 
an  honor  before  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  which  shall  hear  all 
the  good  that  I  do  unto  them;  and  they  shall  fear  and  tremble  for 
all  the  goodness,  and  for  all  the  prosperity  that  I  can  procure  un- 
to it.  Hos.  3:.5.  Afterwards  shall  the  children  of  Israel  return, 
and  seek  the  Lord  their  God,  and  David  their  king,  and  shall  fear 
Uie  Lord,  ^r.d  his  goodness  in  the  latior  days» 

p  1  Cor.  6:12:  AU  things  are  lawful  unto  me,  but  all  things  are 
not  expedient:  all  things  are  lawful  for  me,  but  I  will  not  be  brought 
under  the  power  of  any. 

q  Exod.  20: 1,2,3,  &c.  And  God  spake  all  these  words,  saying, 
I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  have  brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage.  Thou  shall  have  no  other 
gods  bofbre  me,  &c. 


«BCT.  IV-  THE  BELIEVER^S   SIDDLB.  1*1 

To  some  I  perfect  hatred  bear,' 
Yet  keep  the  law  of  love  entire:" 

I'm  bound  to  love  my  friends,*  but   yet 

I  sin  unless  I  do  them  hate:" 

I  am  oblig'd  to  hate  my  foes/ 

Yet  bound  to  love  and  pray  for  those.* 

Heart  love  to  men  I'm  -call'd  t'  impart, 
Y'et  God  still  calls  for  all  my  heart.' 
I  do  him  and  his  service  both 
By  nature  love,''  by  nature  loathe.* 

r  Psalm  139:21,22.  Do  not  I  hate  them,  O  Lord,  that  hate  thee? 
ftad  am  not  I  grieved  with  those  that  rise  up  against  thee?  1  hate 
them  with  a  perfect  hatred,  I  count  them  mine  enemies. 

s  2  Chron,  19:2.  And  Jehu  the  son  of  Hanani  the  seer,  went  oat 
to  meet  him,  and  said  to  king-  Jehoshaphat,  Shouldst  thou  help  the 
ungodly,  and  love  them  that  hate  the  Lord;  therefore  is  wratli  up- 
on thee  frem  before  the  Lord. 

t  Lev.  19:18.  Thou  shait  not  avenge,  nor  bear  any  grudge, 
■against  the  children  of  thy  people,  but  thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself:  I  am  the  Lord. 

u  Luke  14:26.  If  any  man  come  to  me,  and  hate  not  his  father, 
•and  mother,  and  wife,  and  children,  and  brethren,  and  sistere,  yea, 
and  his  own  life  also,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple.. 

V  As  tliey  are  the  foes  ef  God.  Judges  5:31.  So  let  all  thine  en- 
emies perish,  O  Lord;  but  let  them  that  love  him  be  as  the  sun 
when  he  goetb  forth  in  his  might  Psalm  17:13,14.  Arise,  O  liord, 
disappoint  him,  cast  him  down:  deliver  my  soul  from  (he  wicked 
which  is  thy  sword;  from  men  which  are  thy  hand,  O  Lord,  from 
■men  of  the  world,  wliich  have  their  jwrtion  in  tiii.s  life,  and  whose 
belly  thou  fillest  with  thy  hid  treasure;  they  are  full  of  children, 
and  leave  the  rest  of  their  substance  to  their  babes. 

w  Mat<;h.  5: 44  But  I  say  unto  you,  love  your  enemies,  blese 
them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for 
them  which  dcspitefully  use  you,  and  persecute  you. 

X  Matth.  19: 19.  Jesus  said  unto  him.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
.bor  as  thyself.  Chap.  22: 37.  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  niin^. 

y  1  John  5:2.  By  this  we  know  that  we  love  tlie  children  of  God, 
when  we  love  God,  and  keep  his  commandments. 

z  Rom.  8:7.  The  carnal  mind    is  enmity  against  God:  for  it  is 
not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  bo.    Col.  1:21. 
.And  you  that  were  sometimes  alienated,  and  enemies  in  your  ininde 
by  wicked  works,  yet  now  hath  he  reconciled. 
14* 


l€2  eOSPBL   SO!»:VETS.  TAUT  111, 

Srcf.  v.     Mysteries  about  flesh  and  spirit,  liberty  and  bondage, 
life  and  death. 

Much  like  my  heart  both  false  and  true," 
I  have  a  name  both  old  and  new.* 
No  new  thing  is  beneath  the  sun;"= 
Yet  all  is  new,  and  old  things  gone.* 

Though  in  my  flesh  dwells  no  good  thing," 
Yet  Christ  in  me  I  joyful  sing.' 
Sin  I  confess,  and  I  deny; 
For  though  I  sin,  it  is  not  1,5 


a  Jer.  17: 9.  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  despe- 
rately wicked,  who  can  know  it?  Heb.  10:22.  Let  us  draw  near 
with  a  true  heart,  in  full  assurance  of  faith,  having  our  hearts 
sprinkled  from  an  evil  conscience,  and  our  bodies  washed  with 
pure  water. 

b  Rom  9:25,26.  As  he  saith  also  in  Osee,  I  will  call  them  my 
people,  which  were  not  my  people;  and  her,  beloved,  which  was 
not  my  beloved.  And  it  shall  corne  to  pass,  that  in  the  place 
where  it  was  said  unto  them,  Ye  are  not  my  people;  there  shall 
they  be  called,  The  children  of  the  living  God.  Rev.  2:17.  He 
tliat  hath  an  ear  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the 
rJiurchea.  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  hid- 
den manna,  and  will  give  him  a  white  stone,  and  in  the  stone  a 
new  name  written,  which  no  man  knoweth,  saving  he  that  re- 
ceiveth  it.  Chap.  3:12.  Him  that  overcometh  will  I  make  a  pillar 
in  the  temple  of  my  God  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out:  and  I  will 
write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God,  and  the  name  of  the  city  of 
my  God,  which  is  New  Jerusalem,  which  Cometh  down  out  of 
heaven  from  my  God,  and  I  will  write  upon  him  my  new  name. 

c  Eccl.  1:9.  The  thing  that  hath  been,  it  is  that  which  shall  be: 
and  that  which  is  done,  is  that  which  shall  be  done:  and  there  is 
no  new  thing  under  the  sun. 

d  9  Cor.  .5:17.  If  any  man  be  in  Christ  he  is  a  new  creature; 
old  things  are  passed  away,  behold  all  things  are  become  new. 
Rev.  21:.5.  And  he  that  sat  upon  the  throne,  said,  Behold,  I  make 
all  things  new. 

o  Rom.  7:28.  For  I  know,  that  in  me  (that  is,  in  my  flesh)  dvvell- 
eth  no  good  thing;  for  to  will  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  per- 
Ibrm  that  which  is  good,  I  find  not. 

fCol.  1:27.  To  whom  God  would  make  known  what  is  the  rich- 
es of  the  glory  of  this  mystery  among  the  gentiles,  which  is  Christ 
in  you  the  hope  of  glory. 

t»  Rom.  7:14 — 20.  For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual;  butlam 
carnal,  sold  under  sin.  For  that  which  I  do,  I  allow  not;  for  what 
I  would,  that  1  do  not;  but  what  I  hate,  tliat  do  I.     If  tlien  I  do 


«EeT.  V,  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  168 

I  sin  against,  and  with  my  will;'' 
I'm  innocent,  yet  guilty   still.' 
Though  fain  I'd  be  the  greatest  saint," 
To  be  the  least  I'd  be  content.' 

My  lowness  may  my   height  evince," 
I'm  both  a  beggar  and  a  prince." 


that  which  I  would  not,  I  consent  unto  the  law  that  is  good.  Now 
then,  it  is  no  more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that  dvvelleth  in  me.  For  I 
know,  tliat  in  me  (that  is,  in  my  flesh)  dwelletli  no  good  thing;  for 
to  will  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  perform  that  which  is  good^ 
I  find  not.  For  the  good  that  I  would,  I  do  not;  but  the  evil  which 
I  would  not,  that  I  do.  Now,  if  I  do  that  I  would  not,  it  is  no 
more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that  dwelleth  in  me.  1  John  3: 9.  Who- 
soever is  born  of  God,  doth  not  commit  sin;  for  his  seed  remaineth 
in  him;  and  he  cannot  sin,  because  he  is  born  of  God. 

h  Rom.  7:21 — 25.  I  find  then  a  law,  that  when  I  would  do  good, 
evil  is  present  with  me.  For  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God,  after  the 
inward  man.  But  I  see  another  law  in  my  members,  warring 
against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the 
law  of  sin,  which  is  in  my  members.  O  wretched  man  that  I  am, 
who  sl)all  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death!  ItliankGod, 
through  Jesus  Ciirist  our  Lord.  So  then,  with  the  mind  I  myself 
serve  the  law  of  God,  but  with  the  flesh  the  law  of  sin. 

i  Psalm  19:13.  Keep  back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous 
sins,  let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me,  then  shall  I  be  upright, 
and  I  shall  be  innocent  from  the  great  transgression.  And  120-. 
3.  If  tliou,  Ijord,  shouldst  mark  iniquity;  O  Lord,  who  shall  stand? 

k  Psalm  97:4.  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I 
seek  after,  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the  days 
of  mj'  life,  to  behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his 
temple. 

1  Psalm  84:10.  For  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand; 
I  had  rather  be  a  door  keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

m  Job  5:11.  To  set  upon  high  those  that  be  low;  that  those  which 
mourn  may  be  exalted  to  saiety. 

n  1  Sam.  2:8.  The  Lord  raiseth  the  poor  out  of  the  dust,  and 
lifteth  up  the  beggar  from  the  dunghill;  to  set  them  among  prin- 
ces, and  to  make  them  inherit  the  throne  of  glory;  for  the  pillars 
of  the  earth  are  the  Lord's  and  he  hath  set  the  world  u])on  them. 
Gen.  32:28.  And  the  angel  said.  Thy  name  shall  be  called  no 
more  Jacob,  but  Israel;  for  as  a  jjrince  thou  hast  power  with  God 
and  witli  men,  and  hast  prevailed.  Rev.  1:  5,6.  Unto  him  that  lov- 
ed us,  and  wasliod  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath 
made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Father;  to  hira  be 
glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amcu. 


164  GOSPEL  SONHETS.  PABT   III. 

With  meanest  subjects  I  appear,* 
With  kings  a   royal   sceptre   bear.' 

I'm    both  unfetter'd   and    involv'd,' 
By    law    condemn'd,    by   law    absolv'd.' 
My    guilt  condignly    punish'd    see, 
Yet    I   the  guilty   wretch    go  free.* 

My  gain   did   by    my  loss   begin;^ 
My    righteousness  commenc'd  by  sin;"^ 
My    perfect   peace   by    bloody   strife;^ 
Life   is   my   death,  and   death    my   life.^ 

o  Phil.  2: 10.  That  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow, 
of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth,  and  things  under  the 
earth.  Heb.  1:  6.  And  again  when  he  bringeth  in  the  first  begot- 
ten into  the  world,  he  saith,  And  let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship 
him. 

p  Rev.  2:26,27.  And  he  that  overcometh,  and  keepeth  my  works 
unto  the  end,  to  him  will  I  give  power  over  the  nations;  (and  he 
shall  rule  them  as  with  a  rod  of  iron :  as  the  vessels  of  a  potter 
shall  they  be  broken  to  shivers)  even  as  I  received  of  my  Father. 

q  Psalm  116:16.  Oh  Lord,  truly  I  am  thy  servant;  I  am  thy 
servant,  and  the  son  of  thy  handmaid:  thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 
Rom.  7:23.  But  I  see  another  law  in  my  members,  warring  against 
the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of 
Bin,  which  is  in  my  members. 

r  1  John  3:20.  For  if  our  heart  condemn  us,  God  is  greater 
than  our  heart,  and  knoweth  all  things.  Rom.  S:l.  There  is  there- 
fore now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who 
walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit.  Ver.  33,34.  Who 
shall  lay  any.  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God  that 
justifieth:  who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea, 
rather  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us. 

sGal.  3:13.  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
being  made  a  curse  for  us:  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one 
that  hangeth  on  a  tree. 

t  Rom.  3: 23,24.  For  all  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  Godi  being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption 
that  is  in  Jesus  Christ. 

u  Rom.  3:5.  But  if  our  unrighteousness  commend  the  righteous- 
ness of  God,  what  shall  we  say?  Chap.  5:20,21.  But  where  sin 
abounded, grace  did  much  more  abound:  that  as  sin  hath  reigned 
unto  death,  even  so  might  grace  reign  through  righteousness,  unto 
eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

v  Col.  1:20.  And  (having  made  peace  through  the  blood  of  his 
cross)  by  him  to  reconcile  all  things  unto  himself,  by  him,  I  say, 
whether  they  be  things  in  earth,  or  things  in  heaven. 

w  The  life  of  sin  is  our  deatii.    1  Tim.  5:6.  But  she  that  liveth 


sB<rr.  vr.  the  believer's  riddle.  166 

I'm    (in   this   present  life   I    know) 

A   captive  and    a   freeman   too;* 

And   though    my   death   can't  set   me   free, 

It'  wiH  perfect   my    liberty.J^ 

I   am  not   worth  one   dusty   grain, 
Yet   more   than   worlds  of  golden  gain; 
Though   worthless   I    myself  endite, 
Yet   shall   as   worthy  walk   in    white.* 

Sect.  vi.     The  mystery  of  free  justification  tlirough  Christ's  ob«- 
dience  and  satisfaction. 

No  creature    ever   could    or   will 
For    sin   yield    satisfaction    full;'' 
Yet  justice    from  the  creature's  hand 
Both   sought   and   got    its  full   demand.* 

in  pleasure  is  dead  while  she  liveth.  The  death  of  Christ  our  life. 
2  Cor.  5: 14,15.  For  the  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,  because  we 
thus  judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead:  and  that  he 
died  for  all,  that  they  which  live,  sJiould  not  henceforth  live  unto 
themselves,  but  unto  liim  which  died  for  them,  and  rase  again. 

xRoni.  7::23.  Sec  letter  g.  Chap.  8:2.  For  the  law  of  the  Spirit 
of  life,  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  nie  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and 
death. 

y  John  8:36.  If  the  Son  therefore  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be 
free  indeed.  Rev.  14:13.  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  sayings 
Unto  me,  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from 
henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors;  and  their  works  do  follow  them.  2  Cor.  5.-4.  For  we  that 
are  in  this  tabernacle  do  g^roan,  being  burdened:  not  for  that  we 
would  be  unclothed,  but  clothed  ui)on,  that  mortality  might  be 
swallowed  up  of  life. 

z  Gen.  32:10.  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  thy  mercies, 
and  of  all  the  truth  which  thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy  servant;  for 
with  my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and  now  I  am  become  two 
bands.  Rev.  3: 4.  Thou  hast  a  few  names  even  in  Sardis,  which 
hate  not  defiled  their  garments;  and  they  shall  walk  with  me  in 
white;  for  they  are  worthy. 

a  Psalm  49:8.  For  the  redemption  of  their  soul  is  precious,  and 
it  ceaseth  for  ever  Isa.  40:16.  And  Lebanon  is  not  sufficient  to 
burn,  nor  all  the  beasts  thereof  sufficient  for  a  burnt  offering. 

b  Psalm  40:6.  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  didst  not  desire,  mine 
ears  thou  hast  opened:  burnt  off"ering  and  sin  offering  hast  thou  not 
required.  Heb.  10:.5,6,7.  Wherefore,  when  he  cometh  into  the 
world,  he  saith.  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  wonldst  not,  but  o  body 
hast  thou  prepared  for  me:  hi  burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices  for  sin 
thou  hast  had  no  pleasure;  then  said  I,  Lo  I  come  (in  the  volume 


166  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    lib 

Hence   though    I    am,   as   well    I   know, 
A    debtor,'^    yet    I    nothing   owe.* 
My  creditor  has  nought    to   say,« 
Yet  never   had   I   aught   to   pay.' 

He   freely  pardon'd  ev'ry   mite,5 
Yet   would  no    single    farthing   quit." 
Hence    ev'ry    bliss   that   falls   to   me 
Is   dearly    bought,  yet  wholly    free.' 

All   pardon   that   I   need    I    have, 
Yet   daily    pardon   need    to   crave.^ 

of  thy  book  it  is  written  of  me)  to  do  thy  will,  O  God.  Eph.  5:2. 
Christ  liath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  himself  for  us,  an  offering  and 
a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  smelling  savor. 

c  Matth.  6:12.  And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 

d  Rom  3: 24,25.  Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Jesus  Christ:  whom  God  hath  set  ibrth  to  be 
a  propitiation,  through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteous- 
ness for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance 
of  God.  Hob.  10: 14.  For  by  one  offering  he  hath  perfected  for 
ever  them  that  are  sanctified. 

e  Rom.  8:33,34.  Who  sliall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's 
elect?  It  is  Christ  that  justifieth;  who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It 
is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at 
the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us. 

f  Rom.  5:  6.  For  when  we  were  yet  without  strength,  in  due 
time  Christ  (lied  for  the  ungodly.  Ver.  8:  But  God  commendeth 
his  love  towards  us,  in  that  v.'hile  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died 
for  us. 

g  Acts  13:3!^,39.  Be  it  known  unto  you  therefore,  men  and 
brethren.,  that  through  this  man  is  preached  unto  you  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins:  and  by  him  all  that  believe  are  justified  from  all  things, 
from  which  ^^e  could  not  be  justified  by  the  law  of  Moses. 

h  Rom.  3: 24,25.  See  letter  d.  Chap.  8:22.  He  spared  not  his 
own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all. 

i  1  Pet.  18: 19.  "For  as  much  as  ye  know  that  ye  were  not  re. 
deemed  witli  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your  yain 
conversation  received  by  tradition  from  your  fathers;  but  with  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  Lamb  without  blemish  and  without 
spot.  Eph.  1:  7.  In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
the  forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  grace.  2Tim:l, 
9.  Who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  a  holy  calling;  not  ac- 
cording to  our  works,  but  according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace 
which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began. 

j  Psalm  103:3.  Who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities,  who  healeth 
all  thy  diseases.  And  25:11.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  par- 
don mine  iniquity;  for  it  is  very  great.     Luke  11:4,  And  forgive 


SECT.  VI.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  167 

The   law's   arrest   keeps  me   in   awe,*^ 
But  yet   'gainst   me  there    is  no   law.* 
Though    truth  my   just   damnation   crave," 
Yet    truth's  engag'd  my  soul   to  save." 
My  whole  salvation  comes   by    this, 
Fair    truth  and  mercy's  mutual   kiss." 

Law-breakers  ne'er  its  curse   have  miss'd; 
But  I  ne'er  kept  it,  yet   am  bless'd.p 
1    can't   be  justifi'd    by  it,' 
And  yet   it  can't  but  me   acquit.' 

us  our  sins:  for  we  also  forgive  every  one  that  is  indebted  to  us, 
Dan.  9:19.  O  Lord,  hear;  O  Lord,  hearken  and  do,  defer  not  for 
thine  own  sake,  O  my  God;  for  thy  city,  and  thy  people,  are  called 
by  thy  name. 

k  Psalm  119: 120.  My  flesh  trembleth  for  fear  of  thee,  and  I  am 
afraid  of  thy  judgments.  Rom.  7:9  I  was  alive  without  the  law 
once;  but  when  the  commandment  came,  sin  revived,  and  I  died. 
Ver.  13 :  Was  then  that  which  is  good  made  death  unto  me?  God 
forbid.  But  sin,  that  it>  might  appear  sin,  working  death  in  me  by 
that  which  is  good;  that  sin  by  the  commandment  might  become 
exceeding  sinful. 

1  Gal.  5:23.  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is — meetness,  temperance, 
against  such  there  is  no  law.  1  Tim.  1:9.  Knowing  this,  that  the 
law  is  not  made  for  a  righteous  man,  but  for  the  lawless  and  dis- 
obedient, &-C. 

m  Ezek.  18:  4.  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die. 

n  1  Tim.  1:15.  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  ac- 
ceptation, that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners; 
of  whom  I  am  the  cliief 

o  Psalm  85: 10.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  together;  righteous- 
ness  and  peace  have  kissed  each  other. 

p  Gal.  3:10.  As  many  as  are  of  the  works  of  the  law,  are  under 
tiie  curse;  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one  tliat  continueth 
not  in  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do 
them.  Ver.  13,14.  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us:  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every 
one  that  liangetli  on  a  tree :  that  the  blessing  of  Abraham  might 
come  on  the  Gentiles  through  Jesus  Christ;  that  we  might  receive 
the  promise  of  the  Spirit  through  faith. 

q  Rom.  3:20.  Therefore  by  the  deeds  of  the  law,  there  shall  no 
flesh  be  justified  in  liis  sight:  for  by' the  law  is  the  knowledge  of 
sin.  Gal.  2:1G.  Knowing  that  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the  works 
of  the  law,  but  by  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  even  we  have  believed 
in  Jesus  Christ;  that  we  might  be  justified  by  the  faith  of  Christ, 
and  not  by  the  work.5  of  the  law;  for  by  the  works  of  the  law  shall 
no  flesh  be  justified.  Chap.  3:11.  But  that  no  man  is  justified  by  the 
law  in  the  sight  of  God,  it  is  evident;  for,  the  just  shall  live  by  faith. 

r  Rom.  8:1.  There  is  therefore  now  no   condemnation  to  them 


i08  fJOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAHT    HI. 

I'm   not   oblig'd    to   keep   it   more,* 
Yet   more   oblig'd  than   e'er   before,* 
By    perfect  doing   life   I    find," 
Yet   "do   and   live"   no   more    me    bind.* 

•  These  terms  no   change  can  undergo, 
Yet    sweetly    chang'd   they   are:*'   for   Jo; 
My    doing  caus'd    my    life:"^    but    now 
My   life's   the  cause    that  makes  me  do.^ 

which  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  Ver.  3,  4.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do, 

in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh,  God  sending  his  own  Son  in 
the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin,  condenrined  sin  in  the  flesh; 
that  the  righteousness  of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk 
not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit.  2  Cor.  5:21.  For  he  hath 
made  him  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be 
made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.  Rom.  3:26.  To  declare,  I 
say,  at  this  time  his  righteousness;  that  he  might  be  just,  and  the 
justifier  of  him  wliich  believeth  in  Jesus. 

s  Rom.  6:14.  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you;  for  ye  are 
not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  Gal.  5: 1 — 4.  Stand  fast  there- 
fore in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us  free,  and  be  not 
entangled  again  witli  the  yoke  of  bondage.  Behold  I  Paul  say  un- 
to you,  that  if  ye  be  circumcised,  Christ  shall  profit  you  nothing. 
For  I  testify  again  to  every  man  that  is  circumcised,  that  he  is  a 
debtor  to  do  the  whole  law.  Christ  is  become  of  no  eflfect  unto  you, 
whosoever  of  you  are  justified  by  the  law;  ye  are  fallen  from  grace. 
tRom.  6:1,2.  What  sliall  we  say  tJien?  shall  we  continue  in  sin, 
that  grace  may  abound?  God  forbid;  how  shall  we  that  are  dead 
to  sin,  live  any  longer  tliereiu?  Ver.  15.  What  then?  shall  we  sin, 
because  we  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace?  God  forbid. 

u  Rom.  5: 17,18,19.  They   which   receive  abundance  of  grace, 

and  of  the  gift   of  righteousness,  shall  reign  in  life  by  one,  Jesus 

'  (Christ.     By  the  righteousness  of  one,  the  free  gift  came  upon  all 

men  to  justification  of  life.      By  the  obedience  of  one  shall  many 

be  made  righteous. 

V  Rom.  10:5 — 9.  For  Moses  describeth  the  righteousness  which 

is  of  the  law.  That  the  man  which  doeth  those  things,  shall  live  by 

them.     But  tlie  righteousness  which  is  of  faith  spcaketh  on  this 

wise,  Say  not  in  thine  heart.  Who  shall  ascend  into  heaven?  (that 

is,  to  bring  Christ  down  from  above;)  or  who  shall  descend  into  the 

deep?  (that  is,  to  bring  up  Cin-ist  again  from  the  dead;)  but   what 

Baith  it?  The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even   in  thy  mouth,   and  in  thy 

heart;  that  is,  the  word  of  faith  which  we  preach.  That  if  thoushalt 

confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  shalt  believe  in  thine 

heart,  that  God  hath  raised  him  from  the  dead,  thou  shall  be  saved. 

w  Rom.  3:31.  Do  we  then  make  void  the  law  through  faith?  God 

forbid;  yea,  we  establish  the  law. 

xRorn.  10:5.  See  letter  v. 

John  14:19.  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also.     Chap.  15:  i.  lam 


SEcr.  VI,  THE  helieveh's  riddle.  169 

Though    works    of  righteousness   I    store," 
Yet  righteousness    of  works    abhor,"' 
For  righteousness  without  a    flaw 
Is    righteousness    without   the   law.* 

In  .duty's    way   I'm   hound   to    lie,' 
Yet   out   of  duties    bound    to   ily:'' 
Hence  merit    I   renounce  with    shame.* 
Yet   right  to  life   by   merit  claim. ^ 

the  vine,  yo  arc  the  brandies!;  he  that  abidoth  in  me,  and  I  in  him, 
the  same  brincfeth  forth  mucli  fruit;  for  without  me  ye  can  do  no- 
thing. Rom.  7:4.  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  ye  also  are  become 
dead  to  the  law  by  the  body  of  (Jhrist;  that  ye  should  bo  married 
to  another,  even  to  him  who  is  raised  from  the  dead,  tliat  we 
should  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God.  Ezek,  36:27.  And  I  will  put 
my  spirit  within  you,  and  cause  you  i/}  walk  in  my  statutes,  and 
ye  shall  keep  my  judgments,  and  do  them: 

z  Phil.  1:11.  Being  lllled  with  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  which 
are  by  ,)esus  Christ  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God. 

a  Phil.  .3:  9.  And  be  ibund  in  him,  not  having  mine  own  righte- 
ousness, which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith 
ofCiirist,  the  righteousness  wliicli  is  of  God  by  faith.  Isa.  64:6. 
All  our  rigliteousnesscs  are  as  filthy  rags.  Komans  4:6.  Even  as 
David  also  describeth  the  blcssednes,s  of  the  man  unto  whom  God 
imputeth  righteousness  without  wjorks. 

b  Rom.  3:20,21,22.  Therefore  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  there 
shall  no  flesh  be  justified  in  his  sight;  for  by  the  law  is  the  know- 
ledge of  sin.  Bat  now  the  righteousness  of  God  without  the  law 
is  manifested,  being  witnessed  by  the  law  and  the  prophets;  even 
the  rightcou-iuess  of  God  which  is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ  unto 
all,  and  upon  all  them  that  believe;  for  there  is  no  dilFerence. 

c  Prov.  8: 34.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  heareth  me,  watching  dai- 
ly at  my  gates,  waiting  at  the  posts  of  my  doors. 

d  Isa.  57: 12.  I  will  declare  thy  righteousness,  and  thy  works,  for 
they  shall  not  profit  thee.  Luke  17:10.  When  ye  shall  have  done 
all  "those  things  which  are  commanded  you,  say.  We  are  unprofita- 
ble servants;  we  have  done  that  which  was  our  duty  to  do. 

e  Psalm  16:2.  O  my  soul,  thou  hast  said  unto  the  Lord,  Thou 
art  my  Lord;  my  goodness  extcndeth  not  to  thee.  Ezek.  36:32. 
Not  for  your  sakes  do  I  this,  saith  the  Lord  God,  be  it  known  unto 
J0U4  be  ashamed  and  confounded  for  your  own  ways,  O  house  of  Is- 
rael. 

fRora.  5: 18,19.  By  the  righteousness  of  one,  the  free  gift  ciiin.- 
upon  all  men  unto  justification  of  life.  By  the  obedience  of  ono 
shall  many  be  made  righteous.  Isa.  45: 24,25.  Surely  shall  one  saj  , 
In  the  Lord  have  I  rigliteousness  and  strength;  even  to  him  shall 
men  come,  and  all  that  arc  incensed  against  l;:u.  shall  be  ashamed. 
In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory. 

15 


270  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  FART   lit- 

Merit  of  perfect  righteousness 
1    never  hadj®   yet    never   miss;" 
On  this  condition    1    have    all,' 
Yet  all  is    unconditional." 

Though   freest   mercy    T   implore,' 
Yet   I   am    safe  on  justice'   score.™ 
Which    never  could    the    guilty  free," 
Yet    fully   clears   most  guilty   me." 

g-Rora.  3:9,10-  Wliat  then?  are  we  better  than  they?  No,  in  ncs' 
wisa;  )or  we  have  proved  both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  that  tliey  are  all 
under  sin;  as  it  is  written.  There  is  none  righteous,  no  not  one. 
Ver.  19.  Now  we  know,  that  what  things  soever  the  law  saith,  it 
saith  to  them  wlio  are  under  the  law,  that  every  mouth  may  be 
stoi>jK'd,  and  all  tiie  world  may  become  guilty  before  God. 

h  1  ( Icr.  1:30.  But  of  him  are  ye  in  C'hrist  Josus,  who  of  God  is 
made  unto  us — rightojoiisuess.  Isa.  45:24.  See  letter/.  Jer,23:6. 
In  hia  days  Judaii  shall  be  saved,  and  Israel  shall  dwell  safely;  and 
this  is  las  name  whereby  he  shall  be  called,  THE  LORD  OUR 
RKiHTEOUSNESS.  " 

i  Isa.  12:21.  Tiie  Lord  is  well  pleased  for  his  righteousness'  sake; 
he  will  magnify  the  law,  and  make  it  honorable.  Matth.  3:15- 
Thus  it  becomelli  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness.  Ver.  17.  And  lo 
a  voice  from  heaven,  sa5nng,  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I 
am  well  pleased. 

k  Isa.  55:1.  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters, 
and  ho  thatlialh  no  money,  come  ye,  buy  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy 
wine  and  milk  without  money,  and  without  price.  Rev.  22:17 
Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely. 

1  Psalm  51:1.  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy 
loving  kindness;  according  unto  the  multitude  of  tliy  tender  mer- 
cies,  blot  out  my  transgressions. 

m  Rom.  3:24,25,26.  Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through 
the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus  Christ:  whom  God  hath  set  lorth  to 
be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  in  liis  blood,  to  declare  his  righte- 
ousness for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  througli  the  forbear- 
ancc  of  God;  to  declare,  I  say,  at  tJiis  time  his  righteousness;  that 
lie  miglit  bo  just,  and  the  justi'ier  of  him  which  believeth  in  Jesus. 
1  John  1: 9.  It  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faitliful  and  just  to  forgive 
Jiii  our  rtins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unright/!itasness: 

n  Exod.  24:  6,7.  And  the  Lord  passed  by  before  him,  and  pro- 
claimed, Tlie  Lord,  The  Lord  God, — that  will  by  no  means  clear 
the  g'iilty, 

oRoni  4:5.  To  Iiim  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  him  that 
justifieth  tlie  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  righteousness. 


*ECT.  VII.  THE    BELIEVEE^S    RIDDLE.  '171 

Sect.  vii.  The  mystery  of  God  the  Justifier,  Rom.  3: 56.  jueti- 
fied  both  in  his  justityiug  and  condeuiniug;  or  soul-justifiicatJoii 
and  self-condemnalioii. 

My  Jesus  needs  not  save,"  yet  must;" 
He  is  my  hope/  I  am   his  trust.'' 
He  paid  the  double  debt,  well  known 
To  be  all  mine,  yet  all  his  own.* 

Hence,  though  I  ne'er  had  more  or  less 
Of  justice  pleasing  righteousness, ^ 
Yet  here  is  one  wrought  to  my  hand^ 
As  full  as  justice  can  demand. s 

a  Rom.  9:5.  Christ  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever. 

b  John  10: 16.  And  other  sheep  I  have,  which  are  not  of  thi* 
■fold:  them  also  I  must  bring',  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice;  and 
there  shall  be  one  ibid,  and  one  shepherd.  Ver.  18.  No  man  taketli 
it  [my  life]  from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself:  I  have  power 
to  lay  it  down,  and  I  have  power  to  take  it  atrain.  This  coinmand- 
uient  have  I  received  oi'my  Father.  Luke  2:40.  And  Jesus  said 
xinto  them,  [Joseph  and  his  mother]  How  is  it  that  ye  sought  me' 
■wist  yc  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  Fatlior's  business? 

c  Jer.  14:8.  O  the  hope  oflsrael,  the  Saviour  thereof  in  time^f 
trouble,  &c.  Chap.  17:17.  Be  not  a  terror  unto  me,  thou  art  my 
hope  in  the  day  ofcvil.  1  Tim.  i:  1.  Paul  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ; 
by  tJie  commandment  of  God  our  Saviour,  and  the  Lord  Jesue 
■Christ,  which  is  our  hope. 

d.Tohnl7:6.  I  have  manifested  thy  name  unto  the  men -,vhich 
thou  gavest  mc  out  of  the  world;  thine  they  were,  and  thou  gavest 
them  me.  2  Tim.  1:12.  I  know  whom  I  have  believed;  and  I  aiii 
persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  uu- 
to  him  against  that  day^ 

e  Isa.  53: 4,5,6.  Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our 
sorrows;  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and  af- 
flicted. But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was  i>ruis- 
led  ibr  our  iniquities;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him, 
■and  with  his  stripes  we  are  iiealed.  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone 
astray;  we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  and  the  Lord 
hath  laid  on  liim  the  iniquity  of  us  all.  Ver.  8.  For  the  transgres- 
sion of  my  people  v.^as  he  stricken.  Heb.  7: 22.  by  so  much  was 
Jesus  made  a  surety  of  a  better  testament. 

f  Rom.  3:9,10.19.  See  letter  g  forccited. 

g  Dan.  9:94.  Seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy  people,  and 
upon  thy  holy  city,  to  finish  the  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end 
of  sins,  and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,'  and  to  bring  in  ev- 
erlasting righteousness,  &.c.  Zecli.  13:7.  Awake,  O  sword,  a,gainet 
my  Shepherd,  and  against  the  man  fhat  is  my  fellow,  saith  the  Lord 
■of  hosts :  smite  the  Shepherd,  and  the  sheep  shall  be  scattered,  and 
i  will  turn  mine  hand  u^wn  the  little  ones.. 


172  GOSPEL  sonnets;^  pakt  jji. 

By  this  my  Judge  is  more  appeas'^d 
Than  e'er  my  sins  his  honor  leasM.** 
Yea,  justice  can't,  be  pleas'd  so  well 
By  all  the  torments  borne  m  hell.' 

Full  satisfactio/i  here   is  such, 
As  hell  can  never  yield  so  much;.' 
Though  justice  therelbre  might   me  damn. 
Yet  by  more  justice  sav'd   1  anu" 

Here  ev'ry  divine  property 
Is  to  the  highest  set  on  high;^ 

h  Rom.  5:  8 — 11.  But  God  comniendetfi  his  lore  towards  its,  in 
that  while  we  were  sinners,  Christ  died  far  us.  Much  more  ihcii. 
being  now  justified  by  his  hlood;  Vv  e  shall  be  saved  from  wrath 
through  him.  For  if,  wlien  we  were  enemies,  wc  were  reconciled 
to  God  by  the  deatli  of  his  Son;  much  more  being  reconciled,  we 
shall  be  saved  by  his  life.  And  not.  only  so,  but  wc  also  joy  in  God 
through  our  Lord  Jei^us  Christ,  by  whom  wo  have  now  received  the 
atonement.  Heb.  9:14  How  much  more  shall  the  blood  of  Christ,. 
wJio,  through  the  eternal  Spirit  ottered  himself  wilhout  spot  to  God^ 
purge  your  conscience  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God? 

i  Heb.  ]  Oj.'jiG,  \\'herefbre  wlicn  he  cometh  into  the  world,  lie 
^aitli,  Sacrifice  and  ofiering  tliou  wonldst  not,  but  a  :x>dy  host  thoa 
prepared  for  me;  in  burnt  offerings  and  pacrifiees  foy  sin  tliou  hast 
had  no  pleasure.  Ver.  14.  By  one  offering  he  hath  perfected  for 
ever  tliem  that  are  sanctified.  Vcr.  49.  Of  how  nnich  sorer  pun- 
ishment suppose  ye,  shall  he  be  thought  worthy,  who  hath  trodden 
under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hotli  connkd  the  blood  of  the  cove-, 
jiant  whc»rcwith  he  was  sanctified,  an  unJioly  thing,  and  hatli  done- 
despite  uiitothe  Spirit  of  grace. 

j  Rom.  5:11.  See  letter  &.  Eph.  5:2.  Christ  hath  given  himself 
•for  us,  an  otiering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  smelling  sa- 
vor. 1  Pet.  1:18,19.  Forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  yo  were  not  re- 
deemed with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  yourvain 
conversation,  received  by  tradition  from  your  ifithers;  but  with  the 
precious  blood  of  C^hrist,  as  of  a  Lamb  v,-ithont  blemish  and  withoiit 
.spot.  Gal.  3:1.S.  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  tiie  curse  of  tho 
law,  being  made  a  cvuso  for  us. 

k  1  Pet.  .3:18.  Christ  Iiath  once  suffered  for  sins,,  the  juf t  for  the 
unjust,  (tiiat  he  might  bring  us  to  God,)  being  put  to  death  in  the 
ftesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit.  Rom.  3;26.  To  declare,  I  say, 
«t,  this  time  liis  rightooarsness;  that  he  might  be  just,  and  the  jnsti- 
fier  of  !nm  which  believeth  in  Jezati^  1  John  2: 2.  And  ho  is  the 
propitiation  for  our  sins;  and  not  for  ours  only,  bat  also  for  the  s'ns 
ofthe  whole  world.  Ciiap.  4:10.  Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  loved 
God,  but  that  he  loved  us»  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  tho  propitiation  for 
our  sins. 

)  Rom.  3:25,  WJiain  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  &  propitiatioia; 


SECT,  vn,  ^E  believer's  riddle.  173 

Hence  God  his  glory  would  injure, 
l(  my  salvation  were  not  sure.™ 

My  peace  and  safety  lie  in  this. 
My  Creditor  my  Surety   is," 
The  judgment  day  I  dread  the  less. 
My  Judge  is  made  my  righteousness." 

He  paid  out  for  a  bankrupt  crew 
The  debt  that  to  himself  was  due; 
And  satisfi'd  himself  for  me, 
When  he  did  justice  satisfy. » 

through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  rig-hteousness  for  the  fo . 
mission  of  sins  tliat  are  past,  throng-h  the  forbi  arancc  of  God- 
I'sahn  85:10.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  together;  righteousness  and 
peace  have  kissed  each  otlier.  2  Cor.  5:18,19,  And  all  things  are 
of  God,  who  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  hath 
given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  to  wit,  that  God  was  in 
Christ,  reconciling  tho  world  unto  himself;  not  imputing  their  tres- 
passes unto  them;  and  hath  committed  unto  us  the  word  of  recon- 
ciliation. Ver.  21,  For  he  hath  made  Jiim  to  be  sin  for  Us,  who 
knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
him.  Luke  2:14.  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace, 
good  will  towards  mem 

m  Isa.  44:23.  Sing,  O  ye  heavens;  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it; 
shout,  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth;  break  fortli  into  singing,  ye 
mountains,  O  forest,  and  every  tree  therein;  for  the  Lord  hath  re- 
deemed Jacob,  and  glorified  himself  in  Israel.  Eph.  1:6.  To  the 
praise  of  tlie  glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath  made  us  accepted 
m  the  beloved,  Ver.  12.  That  we  should  be  to  the  pruise  of  hig 
glory  who  first  trusted  in  Christ. 

n  Psalm  119:122.  Be  surofy  for  thy  servant  for  good;  let  not  the 
proud  oppress  me.  Heb.  7: 22.  By  so  much  v^as  Jesus  made  a 
surety  of  a  better  testament. 

o  1  Cor.  1:30.  But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God,  i* 
made  unto  us — righteousness.  Chap.  15:55,56,57.  O  death  where 
is  thy  sting?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory?  The  sting  of  death  is 
sin;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  tlio  law:  But  thanks  be  to  God, 
which  giveth  us  the  victory  ^through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

p  Zech.  13:7.  Sec  Ietter*ff-^Tlom.  9:5.  Christ  is  over  all,  God  bless- 
ed for  ever.  Phil.  3:  6,7,§f  Christ  .lesus  being  in  the  form  of  God, 
tliouglit  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with  tiod;  but  made  himf^-r'of' 
no  reputation,  and  took  upon  him  the  form- of  a  servant,  and  was 
made  in  the  likeness  of  men:  and  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  uian< 
he  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  th» 
death  of  the  cross. 

15* 


174  eOSPEl   SOl^NETB.  FAKT   III. 

He  to  the  law,  though  Lord  of  it. 
Did  most  obediently  submit.'* 
What  he  ne'er  broke,  and  yet  must  die, 
1  never  kept,  yet  live  must  I.' 

The  law,  which  him  its  keeper  kill'd^ 
In  me  its  breaker  is  fulfill'd;' 
He  magnifi'd  and  honor'd  more 
Than  sin  defae'd  it  e'er  before' 

Hence  though  the  law  condemn  at  large,. 
It  can   lay  nothing  to  my  charge;" 
Nor    find  such    ground    to   challenge   me. 
As  Heav'n  hath   found  to  justify.'' 

q  Ibid.  Gal.  4:4,5.  But  when  the  fulness  of  the  time  was  comeT 
God  sent  forth  his  Son  made  of  a,  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to 
redeem  them  that  were  under  tlie  law,  that  we  might  receive  the 
adoption  of  sons, 

r  1  Pet.  3:18.  See  letter  k.  2  Cor.  5;21.  See  letter  I.  1  John  4; 
9.  In  this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  towards  us,  because  that 
God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we  might  live 
through  him. 

s  Rom.  8:3,4.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak 
through  the  flesh,  God  sending  his  own  Son,  in  the  likeness  of  sin- 
ful flesh,  and  for  sin  condemned  sin  in  the  fleshj  that  the  righteous- 
ness of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh, 
but  after  the  Spirit. 

t  I.«a.  42:21.  The  Iiord  is  well  pleased  for  his  righteousness'  sake; 
he  will  maguiff  the  law,  ;ind  make  it  honorable.  Rom.  5:18 — 21, 
Therefore,  as  by  the  oftbnce  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men 
to  condemnation:  even  so  by  the  righteousness  of  one,  the  free  gift 
came  upon  all  men  unto  justification  of  life.  For,  as  by  one  man's 
disobedience  many  were  made  sinners:  so  by  the  obedience  of  one 
shall  mr.ny  he  made  righteous.  Moreover,  the  law  entered,  that 
the  offence  might  abound;  but  where  sin  abounded,  grace  did 
much  more  abound:  that  as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even  sa 
inight  grace  reign  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus 
Christ,  our  lyord. 

u  Rom.  8:1.  There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  thenv 
•which  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  Ver,  3,4.  See  letter  s.  Ver.  33,34. 
Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God 
that  justifieth;  w^ho  is  hfe  that  condemneth'?  It  is  Christ  that  died, 
yea  rather,  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of 
God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us. 

v  Job  33:24.  Then  he  is  gracious  unto  him,  and  saith,  Deliver 
him  from  going  down  to  the  pit,  I  have  found  a  ransom.  Rom. 
3:25,26.  Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through 


SECT.  VII.  THE  believer's  riddle.  175 

But  though  he  freely  me  remit, 
I  never  can  myself  acquit. '"^ 
My  Judg-e  condemns  me  not,  I  grant; 
Yet  justify  myself  I  can't." 

From  him  I  have  a  pardon  got, 
But  yet  myself  I  pardon   not. J' 
His  rich  forgiveness  still  I  have. 
Yet  never  can  myself  forgive." 

The  more  he's  toward  me  appeas'd, 
The  more  I'm  with  myself  displeas'd.* 
The  more  I  am  absolv'd  by  him, 
The  more  I  do  myself  condemn.'' 

faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  Jiis  righteousness  for  the  remission  of 
sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance  of  God;  to  declare,  I 
say,  at  this  time,  his  righteousness;  that  he  might  be  just,  and  the 
justifier  of  him  which  bclieveth  in  Jesus. 

w  2  Sam.  12:13.  And  David  said  unto  Nathan,  I  have  sinned 
against  the  Lord.  And  Nathan  said  unto  David,  The  Lord  also 
hath  put  away  thy  sin;  thou  shalt  not  die.  Psalm  51:2;.3.  Wash 
me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity,  and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 
For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions;  and  my  sin  is  ever  before 
me. 

X  Rom.  8:  L33.  See  letter  u.  Job  9: 20.  If  I  justify  myself,  mine 
own  mouth  shall  condemn  me ;  If  I  say  I  am  perfect,  it  shall  also 
prove  me  perverse. 

y  2  Cor.  7:1.  For  behold,  this  self  same  thing  that  ye  sorrowed 
after  a  godly  sort,  w^hat  carefulness  it  wrought  in  you,  yea,  what 
clearing  of  yourselves,  yea,  what  indignation,  yea,  what  fear,  yea, 
what  vehement  desire,  yea,  what  zeal,  yea,  what  revenge! 

z  Isa.  38:15.  What  shall  I  say?  he  liath  both  spoken  unto  me, 
and  himself  hath  done  it:  I  shall  go  softly  all  my  years  in  the  bi,t. 
terness  of  my  soul. 

a  Ezck.  16:  63.  That  thou  mayest  remember  and  be  confounded, 
and  never  open  thy  mouth  any  more,  because  of  tliy  shame,  when 
I  am  pacified  toward  thee,  for  all  that  thou  hast  done,  saith  the 
Lord  God. 

bLuke  13: 13,14.  And  the  publican  standing  afar  off,  would  not 
lift  up  so  much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast, 
saying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.  I  tell  you  this  man  went 
down  to  his  house  justified  rather  than  the  other:  for  every  one  that 
exalteth  himself,  shall  be  abased  ;  and  he  that  humblefh  himself, 
shall  be  exalted.  Ezek-  36;31,32.  Then  shall  ye  remember  your 
own  evil  ways,  and  your  doings,  tliat  were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe 
yourselves  in  your  own  sight  for  your  iniquities,  and  for  your 
abominations.  Nor  for  your  sakes  do  I  this,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
be  it  known  unto  you:  be  ashamed  and  confounded  for  your  owu 


376  GOSPEL   SOTIJCET9.  PART  IIJ. 

When  he  In  heav'n  dooms  me  to  dwell, 
Then  1  adjudge  mys-clf  to  helfj'= 
Yet  still  I  to  hjs  judgment  'gree. 
And  clear  him  for  absolving  nae."* 

Thus  he  clears  me,  and  I  bim  clear, 
I  justify  my  Justifier.* 

Truys,  O  house  of  Israel,  J(;r,  31:19,  Surely  affer  that  I  was  turn^ 
e<f,  I  rtpented;  and  after  that  I  waa  instructed,  I  smote  upon  my 
thigh;  I  was  ashamed,  yea,  even  confounded,  because  I  did  bear 
the  reproach  of  my  youth, 

c  Matth,  25: 34— 39,  Then  shall  the  King  say  nnto  them  on  his 
light  hand.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom 
prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  For  I  was  an 
hungered,  and  ye  gave  me  meat ;  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  nie 
drink;  I  was  a  stranger,  and  yc  took  me  inj  naked,  and  ye  cloth- 
ed me;  I  was  sick,,  and  ye  visited  me;  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye  came 
unto  me.  Then  shall  the  righteoins  answer  him,  saying.  Lord, 
when  saw  we  thee  an  liungered,  and  fed  thee?  or  thirsty,  and  gave 
Ihee  drink?  When  saw  we  thee  a  stranger,  and  took  thee  in?  or 
naked,  and  clothed  thee?  Or  when  saw  we  thee  sick,  or  in  prison, 
and  came  unto  thee?  1  Cor,  11:31.  If  wc  would  judge  ourselves,. 
we  should  not  be  judged.  Luke  15:20,21,  And  he  (the  prodigal 
son)  arose  and  came  to  his  father.  But  when  he  wds  yet  a  great 
way  off,  his  father  saw  him,  and  had  compassion,  and  ran,  and  fell 
on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him.  And  the  son  said  unto  him.  Father, 
I  have  sinned  against  heaven,  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am  no  more 
worthy  to  be  called  thy  son.  Gen.  32:9,10,  And  Jacob  said,0  God 
of  my  Father  Abraham,  and  God  of  my  Father  Isaac,  the  Lord 
which  saidst  unto  me,  Return  unto  tliy  country,  and  to  tiiy  kind- 
red, and  I  will  deal  well  with  thee;  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of 
all  the  mercies,  and  of  all  the  truth  which  thou  hast  showed  untO' 
thy  servant;  for  with  my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and  now  I 
am  become  two  bands. 

d  Psalm  51:4.  Against  thee,  thee  only  have  I  sinnedr  and  done 
tliis  evil  in  thy  sight:-  that  thou  mightest  be  justified  when  thou 
speakest,  and  bo  clear  when  thou  judgest.  And  11:7,  The  righte- 
ous Lord  lovetii  righteousness,  his  countenance  doth  Ijehold  the 
apright.  And  145:16,17.  Thou  openest  thine  hand,  and  satisfiest 
the  desires  of  every  living  tiling.  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his 
ways,  and  holy  in  all  his  works.  Rev,  15: 3,  And  they  sing  the 
song  of  the  servant  of  God,  and  the  song  of  the  Lamb,  -paying.  Great 
and  marvellous  are  thy  works,,  Lord,  God  Almighty;  just  and  true 
are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints. 

e  Rom,  3:26,  To  declare,  I  say,  at  this  time  his  righteousness; 
that  ho  might  be  just,  and  tlie  justificr  of  him  which  belie  vcth  in 
Jesus,  '  Isa,  45:21.  There  is  no  God  else  beside  me,  a  just  God  and 
a  Saviour,  Ver.  24,  Surely  shall  one  say,  in  the  Lord  have  I  righte- 
•cusness  and  strength,    Chiap.  63: 1,  Who  is  this  that  cometli  frons 


SECT.  Vin.  THE    believer's    RIDDIB.  177 

I^t  him  coridem  or  justify, 
From  all  injustice  I  bim  free-^ 

SscT,  viii.     Tlie  mystery  of  sanctification  imperfect  in  this  life? 
or  the  Believer  doing  all,  aiid  doing  nothing. 

Mine  arms  embrace  my  God,"  yet  I 
Had    never    arms   to    reach    so    high;*' 
His  arm   alone  me   holds,""    yet    lo,. 
I    hold    and   wilt    not    let   him    go.* 

Edom,  with  dyed'  garments  fz-om  BozraL?  tliis  that  is  glorious  in 
his  apparel,  travelling  in  tlae  greatness  of  his  strpn,'^th?  I  thut.  speak 
in  rigliteousness,  mighty  to  save.  Zech.  9:9.  Rejoice  greatly,  O 
daughter  of  Zion;  shout,  O  daughter  of  .Jerusalem  :  behold  thy 
King  Cometh  unto  thee;  he  is  just,  and  having  salvation,  &lc. 

f  job  25: 4,5,6.  IIovs'  tlien  can  man  I>e  justified  with  Godi  or, 
how  can  he  be  clean,  that  is  born  of  a  woman?  Behold  even  to  the 
moon,  and  it  shincth  not;  yea,  tlie  stars  are  not  pure  hi  his  sights 
How  much  less  man  that  is  a  \vorm;  and  the  son  of  man  which  is 
a  worm?  Psalm  8":14.  Justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of 
thy  throne;  mercy  and  truth  sliall  go  belbre  thy  face.  And  97: 2.. 
Clouds  and  darkness  arc  round  about  him;  righteousness  and  judg- 
ment are  the  habitation  of  his  throne.  Rom.  3: 19,20.  Now  we- 
know  that  what  things  soever  the  law  saith,  it  saith  to  thein  who- 
are  under  the  law  :  that  every  mouth  may  be  &top])ed,  and  all  the 
world  may  become  guilty  before  God.  Therefore,  by  the  deeds  of 
t!;e  law  there  sliall  no  fJesh  be  justified  in  Ids  sight;  for  by  the  law 
is  the  knowledge  of  sin.  Vcr  23,24,25.  For  all  have  sinned,  and 
corno  short  of  the  glory  of  God;  being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,, 
throuo'h  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesas  Christ:  whom  God  hath 
set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  iia  iiis  blood,  to  declare 
his  righteousness  for  liie  remission  of  sins  that  are  past;  through 
the  forhearanee  of  God.  Psahii  22:2,3.  O  my  God,  I  cry  in  the- 
day  time,  but  thou  hearest  not;  and  in  the  night  season,  avid  am 
not  silent.  But  thou  art  holy,  O  thou  tliat  inliabitest  the  praises  o€ 
Israel. 

a  Song  3:4.  It  was  but  a  little  that  I  jjasfscd  from  them,,  but  I, 
found  him  wliom  my  soul  loveth;  I  held  him,  ^nd  would  not  let 
him  go,  until  I  had  brought  him  into  m]'  mother's  house»  and  iutO' 
tlie  chamber  of  her  that  conceived  me. 

bPsahn  61:2.  From  the  end  of  the  earth  will  I  cr\'  unto  thee,. 
■w!:en  my  heart  is  overwhelmed;  lead  mc  to  tlie  roek  that  is  higher 
than  I, 

e  Psalm  63:8.  My  soul  fblloweth  hard  aftf-r  thee;  thy  right  hand  ' 
apholdcth  me.     Isa.  4t:10.  Fear   thou  not,  for  1  arn  with  thee:  be 
not  dismayed,  tor  I  am  thy  God;  I  will  strengthen  tijce,  yea,  I  wil? 
help  thee,  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righte- 
liQsness. 

d  Geu^  32;26.  And  he  (the  angcl)  said,  Let  me  go,  for  the  da^ 


17S  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PABT  III. 

I  do  according  to  his  call, 
And  yet  not  I,  but  he  does  all;* 
But  though  he  works  to  will  and  do/ 
I  without  force  work  freely  too.e 

His  will  and  mine  agree  full  well,'' 
Yet  disagree  like  heav'n  and  hell,' 
His  nature's  mine,J  and  mine  is  his;" 
•    Yet  so  was  never  that  nor  this.' 

I  know  him  and  his  name,  yet  own 
He  and  his  name  can  ne'er  be  known. " 

breaketh :  And  he  (Jacob)  said,  I  will  not  let  thee  go,  except  tliou 
bless  me. 

e  1  Cor.  l.S:  10.  But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am;  and 
his  grace  which  was  bestowed  upon  me,  was  not  in  vain;  but  I  la- 
bored more  abmidantly  than  tliej'  all;  yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of 
God  which  was  with  me.  Ver.  58.  Therefore,  my  beloved  breth- 
ren^ be  ye  steadfast,  unmovcable,  al\\  ays  abounding  in  the  work  of 
tl)e  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in 
the  liord. 

fPliil.  2:13.  It  is  God  which  worketh  in  you,  both  to  will  and  to 
do  of  his  good  pleasure. 

g  Psalm  110:  .3.  Tliy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy 
power.  And  116: 16.  Oh  liord,  trul^'  I  am  thy  servant,  I  am  thy 
servant,  and  the  son  of  thy  handmaid;  thou  hast  loosed  iny  bonds. 

h  Mutth.  6:10.  Thy  will  be   done    in  earth  as  it   is    in    heaven."' 
Psalm  40:  8.  I  delight  to   do  thy  will,  O  my  God;  yea,  thy  law  is 
within  my  hear*-. 

i  Mattli.  Sh'JHjOD.  A  certain  man  had  two  sons,  and  he  came  to 
tlie  first,  and  said.  Son,  go  work  to  day  in  my  vineyard.  He  an- 
swered and  said,  I  will  not,  &-c.  John  5:10.  Ye  will  not  come  to 
me,  that  ye  might  have  life.  Matthew  23:  37.  O  Jeru.<alem,  Jeru- 
salem, thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are 
sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  [  have  gathered  thy  chiidien  to- 
gether, even  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and 
ye  would  not! 

j2  Pet,  1:4.  Whereby  are  given  unto  us  exceeding  great  and 
precious  promises;  that  by  these  ye  might  be  partakers  of  the  di- 
vine  mature. 

k  Heb.  2:14.  Forasmuch  then  as  the  children  are  partakers  of 
flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  liliewise  took  part  of  the  same. 
Ver.  16.  For  verily  he  took  not  on  him  the  nature  of  angels;  but 
he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abraham. 

1  IsL  40: 17.  All  nations  before  him  are  as  nothing,  and  they  are 
counted  to  him  less  than  nothing,  and  vanity.  To  whom  then  will 
ye  liken  God?  or  what  likeness  ■will  ye  compare  unto  him? 

m  Psalm  9: 16,  They  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in 


JLCT.   VIII.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  179 

His  gracious  coming  makes  me  do; 
I  know  he  comes,  yet  know  not  how." 

I  have  no  good  but  what  he  gave," 
Yet  he  commends  the  good  I  have;"" 
And  tliough  my  good  to  him  ascends,' 
My  goodness  to  him  ne'er  extends. "■ 

I  take  hold  of  his  cov'nant  free,' 
But  find  it  must  take  hold   of  me.* 

thee.  Prov.  30:3,4.  I  [Agur]  neither  learned  wisdom,  nor  have  the 
knowledge  of  the  holy.  Who  hath  ascended  up  into  heaven,  or  de- 
scended? who  hatli  gathered  tlie  winds  in  liis  fist?  who  hath  bound 
the  waters  in  a  garment?  who  hath  established  all  the  ends  of  the 
earth?  what  is  his  name,  and  what  is  his  son's  name,  if  thou  canst 
tell? 

n  Song4:lG.  Awake,  O  north  wind!  and  come,  thou  south;  bkw 
upon  niy  garden,  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out;  Let  my  be- 
loved come  into  his  garden,  and  eat  liis  pleasant  fruits.  Juhn  3-8. 
The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  hearest  the  sound 
thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometli,  and  whitlier  it  goeth: 
So  isk  every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit. 

o  1  Chron.  29:14.  And  David  said — But  who  am  I,  and  what  i.« 
my  people,  tliat  we  sliould  be  able  to  offer  so  willingly  after  this 
sort?  for  all  things  come  of  thee,  and  of  thine  own  have  we  given 
thee.  2  Cor.  3:5.  Not  that  we  are  sufticient  of  ourselves  to  tliink 
any  thing  as  of  ourselves:  But  our  suihciency  is  of  God. 

p  2  Cor.  10:  18.  For  not  he  that  commendeth  himselt'is  approved, 
but  whom  the  Lord  commendeth.  Rom.  12:1,2.  I  beseech  you 
therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  tlaat  ye  present  your 
bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  (iod,  which  is  your 
reasonable  service.  And  be  not  conformed  to  this  world:. but  be  ye 
transformed  by  the  renewhig  of  your  mind,  tliat  ye  nray  prove  what 
is  that  good  and  acceptable,  and  perfect  will  of  God. 

q  Psnlm  25:1.  Unto  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lilt  my  soul.  And  141; 
2.  Let  )ny  prayer  be  set  Ibrtli  before  thee  as  incense:  And  the  lift- 
ing up  of  my  hands,  as  the  evening  sacriiiee.  Epli.  3: 2.  In  whom 
[Christ  Jesus]  we  have  boldness  and  access  witii  confidence  by  the 
faith  of  him.  Heb.  10:19.  Having  therefore,  brethren,  bdldness  to 
enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  ifcc. 

r  Psalm  16:2.  O  my  soul,  thou  hast  said  unto  the  Lord,  Tiioa 
art  my  Lord.     My  goodness  e.vt.endeth  not  to  thee. 

s  Lsa.  56:4.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  mito  the  eunuch;?  that— take 
hold  of  my  covenant,  &c.  Ver.  6.  Also  the  sons  of  the  stranger, 
tiiat  join  themselves  to  the  Lord,  to  serve  him,  and  to  love  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  to  be  his  servants,  every  one  that — taketh  hold  of  my 
covenant,  &c. 

t  Zech.  1:  G.  But  my  words  and  my  statutes,  whicli  I  command- 
ed my  servants  the  prophets,  did  they  not  take  hold  of  your  fatiicrs'^ 


iSO  -GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART    IIT.. 

I'm  bound  to  keep  it,"*  yet  'tis  bail, 
And  bound  to   keep  me  without  fail.'^ 

The  bond  on  my  part  cannot  last" 
Yet  on  both  sides  stands  firm  and  fast.*^ 
1  break  my  bands  at  every  shock, 
Yet  never  is  the  bargain  broke.' 

and  they  returned  and  said,  Like  as  the  Lord  of  hosts  thought  to  do 
unto  us,  according  to  our  ways  and  according  to  our  doings,  so  hath 
he  dealt  with  us.  Psahii  110:2,3.  The  Lord  .shall  send  the  rod  of 
thy  strength  out  of  Zion:  Rule  thou  in  the  midst  of  thine  enemies. 
Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power,  &c,  Rom.  1: 
16.  I  am  nut  ashamed  oithe  gospel  of  Christ:  For  it  is  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that  believeth,  to  the  Jew  first 
arid  also  to  the  Greek.  2  Cor.  2:16. — to  the  other  we  are  the  savor 
of  hiin  unto  life:  And  who  is  sufficient  lor  these  tilings? 

u  Psalm  103:17,18.  The  mercy  of  the  I.-ord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him:  and  his  righteousness  unto 
children's  children:  to  such  as  keep  his  covenant,  and  to  those  that 
remember  his  commandments  to  do  them.  John  17:6.  I  have 
manifested  thy  name  mito  the  men  which  thou  gavest  me  out  of 
the  world:  Thine  they  were,  and  thou  gavest  thein  me:  and  they 
have  kept  thy  word. 

V  Psalm  8:):33 — 36.  Nevertheless,  my  loving  kindness  will  I  not 
utterly  tal^e  from  him,  nor  suffer  my  faithfulnci5s  to  fail.  .  My  cov- 
enant v/ill  I  not  break,  nor  alter  the  thing  that  is  gone  out  of  my 
lips.  Once  have  I  sworn,  by  my  holiness,  that  I  will  not  lie  unto 
David.  His  seed  shall  endm-e  forever,  and  liis  throne  as  the  sun 
before  me. 

w  Psalm  89:30,31,32.  If  his  children  forsake  ray  law,  and  walk 
not  in  my  judgments;  if  they  break  my  statutes,  and  keep  not 
rny  commandments;  then  will  I  visit  their  transgressions  with  tlie 
rod,  and  their  iniquity  with  stripes. 

X  Psalm  83:2,3,4.  For  I  have  said,  Mercy  shall  be  built  up  for- 
ever; thy  faitlifulricss  shalt  thou  establish  in  the  very  heavens.  I 
have  made  a  covenant  with  my  chosen,  I  have  sworn  unto  David 
my  servant.  Thy  seed  will  I  establish  forever,  and  build  up  thy 
throne  to  all  generations.  Ver.  28,23.  M}"-  mercy  will  I  keep  for 
him  for  evermore,  and  my  covenant  shall  stand  fast  with  him.  His 
seed  also  will  I  make  to  endure  for  ever,  and  his  throne  as  the  days 
of  heaven.  Jer.  32:40.  And  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant 
with  them,  that  I  will  not  turn  away  from  them,  to  do  them  good; 
but  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  not  depart 
from  me. 

y  Psalm  78:37.  Their  heart  was  not  right  witii  him,  neither 
were  they  steadfast  in  his  covenant.  Isa  54:10.  The  mountains 
shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed,  but  my  kindness  shall  not 
depart  from  thee,  neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  re- 
niovod,  saith  the  Lord,  tJiat  hath  mercy  on  tliee. 


SECTx   VIII,  THE    SELIEVER's    RIDDLE.  181 

Daily,  alas!  I  disobey,* 
Yet  yield  ©bedienc«  ev'ry  day." 
Vm  an  imperfect  perfect  man,'' 
That  can  do  all,  yet  nothing  can,*" 

I'm  from  beneath,''  and  from  above,* 
A  child  of  wrath,'  a  child   of  love.s 
A  strang-er  e'en  where  all  may  know? 
A  pilgrim,  yet  I  no  where  go.** 

I  trade  abroad,  yet  stay  at  home,-' 
My  tabernacle  is  my  tomb." 

a  James  3:S.  In  many  things  we  offend  alL 

a  Psalm  61:8.  So  will  I  sing  unto  thy  name  for  ever,  that  I  may 
daily  perform  my  vows.  Heb.  3: 13.  But  exhort  one  another  dau- 
ly  while  it  is  called  To-day :  lost  any  of  you  be  hardened  through 
the  deceitfulncss  of  sin. 

b  Psalm  37:37.  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright; 
for  tiie  end  of  that  man  is  peace.  Rev,  3: 2.  Be  watchful,  and 
strengthen  the  tilings  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die;  for  I 
have  not  found  thy  work  perfect  before  God, 

c  Phil.  4: 13.  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strength- 
«neth  me.  .  John  15:5.  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches:  He  that 
abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same  bring eth  forth  much  fruit; 
for  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing. 

d  John  8: 23.  And  Jesus  said  unto  the  Jews,  Ye  are  from  be- 
neath— :  ye  are  of  this  world,  &c. 

e  Gal.  4:  26.  Jerusalem  which  is  frc^  above,  is  free,  which  is  the 
mother  of  us  all,  Ver.  28.  Now,  we,'%rethrcn,  as  Isaac  was,  are 
the  children  of  promise.  John  1:13.  Which  wore  born  not  of  blood, 
nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesli,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God.  And 
3:  5,6.  Jesus  answered.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  (Nicode- 
mus)  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  That  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  ig 
spirit. 

f  Eph.  2:3,  We — were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  even  as 
others.  ^ 

gRora.  4:8.^Tlie  chik'rcn  of  the  promise  are  counteqJbr  tho 
seed. 

h  Heb  11:13.  Those  all — confessed  that  they  were  strangers  and 
pilgrims  on  the  earth.  1  Pet.  2:11.  Dearly  beloved,  I  beeeec^ 
you  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  &,c. 

i  Piiil.  3:2U.  For  our  conversation  is  in  heaven,  from  whence  aJ- 
60  we  look  for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

k  2  Cor.  5:1,2.  For  we  know,  tliat  if  our  earthly   house  of  thw 

16 


182  GOSPEI,  SONNETS.  ?ART    IIS 

#  can  be  prison'd,  yet  abioad; 
'-■' Bound  hand  and  foot,  yet  walk  with  God.' 

Sect.  ix.  Tlie  mj^stery  of  various  names  given  to  the  saints  and 
church  of  Christ;  or  the  flesh  and  Spirit  described  from  inanimate 
things,  vegetables  and  sensitives. 

To  tell  the  world  my  proper  name,. 
Is   both  my  glory  and   my  shamet" 
For  like  my  black  but  comely  face, 
My  name  is  Sin,  ray  name  is  Grace.*^ 

Most  fitly  I'm  assimilate 
To  various  things  inanimate;. 

tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not 
made  with  hands,  etnrnai  in  the  heavens.  For  in  this  we  groan, 
earnestly  desiring  to  '.lO  clotlitd  upon  with  our  house  which  is 
from  lieaven.  Ver.  4..  For  we  tliat  are  in  this  tabernacle  do  groan^ 
being  burdened  :  not  for  that  we  would  be  unclothed,  but  clothed 
upon,  thai  mortality  might  be  swallowed  up  of  life. 

i  Acts  16:2 1,25.  Tlie  jailor,  having  received  such  a  charge,  thrust 
them  into  the  inner  prison,  and  made  their  feet  fast  in  the  stocks. 
And  at  midnight  Faui  and  Silas  prayed,  and  sang  praises  unto 
God.  2  Tim.  2:0.  Wherein  I  suffer  trouble  as  an  evil  doer,  even 
unto  bonds;  but  the  word  of  God  is  not  bound.  2  Cor.  6:4,.5.  But 
in  all  things  approviug  ourselves  as  the  ministers  of  God,  in  much 
patience,  in  afflictions,  in  necessities, irr-'.-distresses,  in  stripes,  in 
imprisonments,  in  tuie-filts,  in  lobors,  in  watchings,  in  fastings. 

a  Hos.  1:9.  Then  said  ':iod.  Call  his  name  Lo-ammi:  for  ye  are 
not  my  people,  and  I  vkiil  not  be  your  God.  And  2: 1.  Say  ye  unto 
your  brethren,  Ammi,  and  to  your  sisters,  Ruhamah.  Ver,  23.  And 
I  will  have  mercy  upon  her  that  had  not  obtained  mercy,  and  I 
will  say  to  them  which  -^^ere  not  my  people,  Thou  art  my  people; 
and  tliC)'''  shall  say.  Thou  art  my  God, 

b  Song  1:5.  I  am  black  but  comel}',  O  ye  daughters  of  Jerusa- 
lem, as^thc  tents  of  Kedar,  as  the  curtains  of  Solomon.  1  Tim.  1:- 
15.  1%is  is  a  faithfid  saj^ing,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that 
Chris^j  Jesus  came  mto  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  wliom  I  am 
chief.  Isa.  62:2,3.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  see  tliy' righteousness,. 
and  alt  kings  thy  glory  und  thou  shalt  be  called  by  a  new  nanie» 
■which  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  shall  name.  Thou  shalt  also  be  a 
crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  uixidem  in  the 
hiuxd  of  thy  <»od. 


SECT.  IX.  THE  BELIEVER^'s   KIDDIE.  16-3 

A  stanfling  lake,"  a  running  flood. "^ 
A  fixed  star/  a  passing  cloud. ^ 

A  Cake  unturned,  nor  cold,  nor  hot;'? 
A  vessel  sound,''  a  broken  pot:' 
A  rising  sun,'   a  drooping  wing;*^ 
A  flinty   rock,'  a  flowing  spring,'^ 


cJer.  48:11.  Moab  hath  been  at  ease  from  his  yooth,  and  he 
hath  settled  on  his  lees,  and  hath  not  been  emptied  from  ves.sel  to 
vessel,  neither  hath  he  gone  into  captivity^  therefore,  his  taste  re- 
mained in  him,  and  his  scent  is  not  changed. 

d  Isa.  44:3.  I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods 
upon  the  dry  ground;  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my 
blessing  upon  thine  offspring. 

e  Dan.  12:3.  And  they  that,  be  wise,  shall  shine  as  the  bright- 
ness of  the  firmament;  and  they  that,  turn  many  to  rigteousness, 
as  the  stars  tor  ever  and  ever — And  in  opposition  to  those  caUed 
wandering  stars,  Jude  13. 

f  Hos.  6  4.  O  Ephraim,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee?  O  Juflah 
what  shall  I  do  unto  thee?  for  your  goodness  is  as  a  morning  cloud, 
and  as  the  early  dew  it  goeth  away. 

g  Hos.  7:8.  Ephraim,  he  hath  mixed  himself  among  the  people. 
Ephraitn  is  a  cake  not  turned.  Rev.  3:1.5.  I  know  thy  works,  that 
thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot;  I  would  thou  wert  cold  or  hot. 

h  Rom.  9:21.  Hath  not  the  potter  power  over  the  clay;  of  the 
same  lump  to  make  one  vessel  unto  honor,  and  another  unto  dis- 
honor? 

i  Psalm  31:12.  I  am  forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out  of  mind :  1  am 
like  a  broken  vessel. 

j  Matth.  13:  43.  Then  shall  the  righteous  shine  forth  as  tiie  sua, 
in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father. 

k  Psalm  .55:6.  And  I  said,  O  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove!  for 
then  would  I  fly  away,  and  be  at  rest. 

1  Zech.  7:12.  They  made  tlijir  hearts  as  an  adamant  stone,  lest 
they  should  hear  the  law,  and  the  words  which  the  Lord  of  hosts 
h:ith  sent  in  his  Spirit,  by  tlic  former  prophets. 

m  John  4: 13,14.  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  her — Whosoever 
drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  never  thirst;  but 
the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water, 
springing  up  unto  everlasting  life. 

n  Isn.  17:'>,10.  In  that  day  shall  his  strong  cities  be  as  a  forsa- 
ken bougli,  and  a.i  uppermost  branch,  which  they  left,  because  of 
the  children  of  Israel:  and  there  sliall  be  desolation.  Because  thou 
hast  forgotten  the  God  of  thy  salvation,  and  hast  not  been  mindful 
o''the  rock  of  thy  strength;  therefore  shalt  thou  plant  pleasant 
plants,  and  shalt  set  it  with  strange  slips.  Chap.  27:11.  When  the 
boughs  thereof  are  withered,  they  shall  be  broken  off;  the  women 
came  and  set  them  on  fire;  for  it  is  a  people  of  no  understanding,  &c. 


164  GOSPEL   SONNETS,  PART    211. 

A  rotten  beam,"  a  virid  stem;" 

A  menstruous  cloth,p  a  roval  gem;<» 

A  garden  bart'd/  an  open  field;* 

A  gliding  stream,*  a  fountain  aeal'd^"^ 

Of  various  vegetables  see 

A  fair  and  lively  map  in  me. 

A  fragrant  rose/  a  noisome  weed;" 

A  rotting/  yet  immoital  seed.'' 

I'm  with'ring  grass''  and  growing  corn?" 
A  pleasant  plant/  an  irksome  tborn;*^ 

o  Prov.  11:28,  The  righteous  shall  flourish  as  a  branch.  Psalm 
92:12,13.  The  righteous  shall  flourisli  like  the  palm  tree;  he  shall 
grow  like  the  cedar  in  Lebanon.  ^Fliose  that  be  jiianted  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  house  of  our  God. 

p  Isa.  30:22.  Ye  shall  defile  also  the  covering  of  thy  graven 
images  of  silver,  and  the  ornament  of  thy  molten  images  of  gold; 
thou  shall  cast  tliem  away  as  a  menstruous  cloth;  thou  shalt  say 
unto  it,  Get  thee  hence.  Chap.  64:  6.  But  we  are  all  as  an  imclean 
thing,  and  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filtiiy  rags. 

q  Isa.  62: 3.  Thou  shalt  also  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of 
the  Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hands  of'  thy  God. 

r  Song  4: 12.   A  garden  enclosed  is  m}'  sister,  my  spouse. 

8  Matth.  14:24,25.  Another  parable  he  put  forth  unlo  tliem,  say- 
ing, The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  likened  unto  a  man  which  sowed 
good  seed  in  his  field;  but  while  men  slept,.liis  enemy  came  and 
sowed  tares  among  the  wheat,  and  went  bis  way. 

t  Song  4: 5.  (My  sister  is)  a  fbmitain  of  gardens,  a  well  of  living 
waters,  and  streams  from  Lebanon. 

uSong  4:12.  A  spring  shut  up,  a  fomitain  sealed,  is  my  sister, 
my  spouse. 

V  Isa.  35:1.  The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  plaee  shall  be  glad 
for  them;  and  the  desert  sliall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 

w  Isa.  5:4.  What  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard, 
that  I  have  not  done  in  it?  wherefore,  wJien  I  looked  that  it  should 
bring  forth  grapes,  it  brought  forth  wild  grapes. 

X  Gen  3:19.  In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread,  til! 
tliou  return  unto  the  ground;  for  out  of  it  wast  thou  taken;  for  dust 
thou  art,  and  unto  dust  tliou  shalt  return. 

y  1  Pet.  1:23.  Being  born  again,  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of 
incorruptible,  by  the  word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  abidcth  forever. 

z  Isa.  40:7.  The  grass  witheretJi,  the  flower  fadeih;  because  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  bloweth  upon  it;  surely  the  people  is  grass. 

a  Hos.  14:  7,  They  that  dwell  under  his  shadow  shall  return; 
they  shall  revive  as  the  corn,  and  grow  as  the  vine:  the  scent  there- 
of shall  be  as  the  wine  of  of  Lebanon. 

b  Isa.  5:7.  The  vineyard  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  house  of  Is- 
rael, and  the  men  of  Judah  his  pleasant  plant 

c  Mic.  7:4.  The  best  of  tiiem  is  a  brier;  the  most  upright  is 
sharper  than  a  thorn  hedge. 


SBCT.  IX.  THE    BELlEVER^S    RtDDtEo  185 

An  empty  vine/  a  fruitful  tree;* 
An  humble  shrub/  a  cedar  high.^ 

A  noxious  brier/  a  harmless  pine;' 
A  sapless  twig,'  a  bleeding  vine;*' 
A  stable  fir,'  a  pliant  bush;™ 
A  noble  oak,"  a  naughty  rush." 

d  Hos.  10:1.  Israel  is  an  empty  vine,  he  bringetli  forth  fruit  an. 
to  himself. 

e  Psalm  1:3.  And  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of 
water,  that  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  iiis  season;  his  leaf  also  shall 
not  wither,  and  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 

f  Ezek.  17:."), 6.  He  (a  great  eagle)  took  also  of  the  seed  of  the 
land,  and  planted  it  in  a  fruitful  field,  he  placed  it  by  great  waters, 
and  set  it  as  a  willow  tree.  And  it  grew,  and  became  a  spreading* 
vine  of  low  stature,  whose  branches  turned  toward  him,  and  the 
roots  thereof  were  under  him;  so  it  became  a  vino,  and  brought 
forth  branches,  and  shot  forth  sprigs.  Ver.  24.  And  all  the  tre>3s 
'of  the  field  shall  know  that  I  the  Lord  have  brought  down  the 
high  tree,  have  exalted  the  low  tree,  have  dried  up  the  green 
tree,  and  have  made  the  dry  tree  to  flourish:  I  the  Lord  have  spo- 
ken and  have  done  it.  Mark  4:30,31.  And  Jesus  said,  Whereun- 
to  shall  ye  liken  the  kingdom  of  God?  or,  with  what  comparison 
shall  we  compare  it?  It  is  like  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  which, 
when  it  is  sown  on  the  earth,  is  less  than  all  the  seeds  that  be  in 
the  earth. 

g  Psalm  92:12.  The  righteous  shall  grow  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 

h  Mic.  7:4.  See  letter  c. 

i  Isa.  41:19.  I  will  set  in  tlie  desert  the  fir  tree,  and  the  pine,  and 
the  box  tree  together. 

j  John  15:4.  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you.  As  the  branch  cannot 
bear  fruit  of  itself,  except  it  abide  in  the  vine;  no  more  can  ye,  ex- 
cept ye  abide  in  me.  Ver.  6.  If  a  man  abide  not  in  me,  he  is  cast 
forth  as  a  branch,  and  is  withered. 

k  John  15:5.  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  braaches :  He  that  abi- 
deth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit;  for 
without  me  ye  can  do  nothing.  Song  2:13.  Tlic  fig  tree  putteth 
forth  her  green  fi^s,  and  the  vines  with  the  tender  grape  give  a 
good  smell.  Ver.  1.5;  Take  us  the  foxes,  the  little  ibxes  that  ejKiil 
the  vines;  for  our  vines  have  tender  grapes. 

1  Isa.  55:13.  Instead  of  tlie  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and 
instead  of  the  briar  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree;  and  it  shall  be 
to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  cut 
off.  And  60:13.  The  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  come  unto  thee,  the  fir 
tree,  the  pine  tree,  and  the  box  together,  to  beautify  the  place  of 
jny  sanctuary,  and  I  will  make  the  place  of  my  feet  glorious. 

m  Matth.  11:7.  And  as  they  departed,  Jcsus  began  to  say  unto 
the  multitudes  concerning  .Tohn,  What  went  ye  out  into  tlie  wil- 
derness to  see?  A  reed  shaken  with  the  wind? 

nisa.  8:13,  But  yet  in  it  shall  be  a  tenth,  and  it  shall  return, 
16* 


186  GOSPfiL    SONXETS.  PART  115. 


H 


With  sensitives  I  may  compare^ 
While  I  their  various  nature  share: 
Their  distinct  names  may  justly  suit 
A  strange,  a  reasonable  bFute.p 

The  sacred  page  my  state  describes 
From  volatile  and  reptile  tribes; 
From  ugly  vipers,''  beauteous  birds;"' 
From  soaring  hosts,'  and  swinish  herds-' 

I'm  rank'd  with  beasts  of  different  kinds. 
With  spiteful   tygers,"  loving  hinds;'' 
And  creatures  of  distinguished  forms, 
W^ith  mounting  eagles,*  creeping  worms.^ 

and  shall  be  eaten;  as  a  teil  tree,  and  as  an  oak  whose  substance  19 
in  them  when  they  cast  their  leaves;  so  tlie  holy  seed  shall  be  tlie 
substance  thereof, 

o  Isa.  58:5.  Is  it  such  a  fast  that  I  have  chosen?  a  day  for  a 
man  to  afHict  his  soul?  is  it  to  bow  down  his  head  as  a  bulrush, 
and  to  spread  sackclotli  and  ashes  under  him?  wilt  thou  call  this  a 
fast,  and  an  acceptable  day  to  the  Lord? 

p  Psalm  73:22.  So  foolish  was  I  (Asaph,)  and  ignorant;  I  was  as 
a  beast  before  tliee,  Prov.  30:2.  Surely  I  (Agur)  am  more  brutish 
than  any  man,  and  have  not  the  understanding  of  a  man. 

q  Matth.  3:7.  But  when  John  saw  many  of  the  Pharisees  and 
Sadducees  come  to  his  baptism,  he  said  unto  them,  O  generation  of 
vipers,  &.c, 

r  Song  2: 1 2.  The  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the 
voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  -nr  land. 

s  Isa.  60:8.  Who  are  these  that  fly  as  a  cloud,  and  as  the  doves 
to  their  windows? 

t  Matth.  7:6.  Give  not  that  which  is  holy  unto  the  dogs,  neither 
Rast  ye  your  pearls  before  swine,  lest  they  trample  them  under  their 
feet,  and  tuni  again  and  rend  you.  2  Pet.  2:  22.  But  it  is  happen- 
ed to  them  according  to  the  true  proverb.  The  dog  is  turned  to 
his  own  vomit  again:  and  the  sow  that  was  washed,  to  her  wallow- 
ing in  the  mire. 

u  Psalm  22:16.  Wnr   dogs    have   compassed  me,  the  assembly  of 
the  wicked  have  enclosed  me:  they  pierced  my  liands  and  my  feet 
Phil.  3:2.  Beware  of  dogs,  beware  of  evil  workers,  beware  of  the 
concision. 

V  Psalm  18:33.  God  maketh  my  feet  like  hinds'  feet,  and  setteth 
me  upon  my  high  places.^  Prov.  5:19.  Let  her  (the  wife  of  my 
youth)  be  as  the  loving  hind,,  and  pleasant  roe;  let  her  breasts  sa- 
tisfy thee  at  all  times,  and  be  thou  ravished  always  with  her  love- 
~  w  Isa.  40: 31.  Th.cy  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles. 

X  Psalm  92:6.  But  I  am  a  worm,  and  no  man.  Isa.  41:14.  Fear 
not,  tliou  wurm  Jacob,  and  ye  men  of  Israel,  &c. 


ffKCT.  X.  THE  believer's  kii>dle:.  16? 

A  mixture  of  each, sort  I  am; 

A  hurtful  snake/  a  harmless  lambj" 

A  tardy  ass,"  a  speedy  roe;'' 

A  lion  bold,*^  a  tim'rous  doe»* 

A  slothful  owl/  a  busy  ant;' 
A  dove  to  mourn/  a  lark  to  chant:'' 
And  with  less  equals  to  compare, 
An  ugly  toad,*  au  angel  fair.*^ 

Sect.  x.    The  mysteiy  of  the  saints'  old  and   new   man   further 
described;  and  the  means  of  their  spiritual  life. 

Tkmptations  breed  me  much  annoy/ 
Yet  divers  such  I  count  all  joy/ 

y  Psalm  58:4.  Tlieir  poison  is  like  the  poison  of  a  serpent;  they 
are  like  the  deaf  adder,  that  stoppeth  her  ear. 

z  John  21: 15.  So  when  they  had  dined,  Jesus  saith  to  Simon  Pe- 
ter, Simon  son  of  Jona.s,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these?  He  saith 
unto  him,  Yea,  Lord;  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee.  He  saith  un- 
to him,  Feed  my  lambs, 

a  Job  11:12,  Vain  man  would  be  wise,  though  man  be  born  like 
a  wild  ass's  colt, 

b  Prov.  6:5.  Deliver  thyself,  (my  son)  as  a  roe  from  the  hand  oT 
the  hunter. 

c  Prov.  21:1.  The  righteous  are  bold  as  a  lion, 

d  Isa.  2;19.  And  they  shall  go  into  the  holes  of  the  rocks,  and 
into  the  caves  of  the  earth,  tor  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  for  the  glory 
of  his  Majesty,  when  he  ariseth  to  shake  terribly  the  earth. 

e  Psalm  102:  6.  I  am  like  an  owl  of  the  desert. 

f  Prov.  6:6.  Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard,  consider  her  ways  and 
be  wise,  &.c. 

g  Isa.  38: 14.  Like  a  crane  or  a  swallow,  so  did  I  chatter;  I  did 
mourn  as  a  dove,  mine  eyes  fail  with  looking  upward;  O  Lord,  I 
am  oppressed,  undertake  for  me.  Ezek.  7:16.  But  they  that  escape 
of  them  (Israel,)  shall  escape,  and  shall  be  on  the  mountains  like 
doves  of  the  valleys,  all  of  tiiem  mourning,  every  one  for  his  ini' 
quity. 

h  Song  2: 12.  The  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the 
voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  our  land. 

i  Rom.  3: 13 — The  poison  of  asps  is  under  their  lips.  Job  40:4, 
Behold,  I  am  vile,  what  shall  I  answer  theel  I  will  lay  mine  haiid 
upon  my  mouth. 

k  Acts  6:15.  And  all  that  sat  in  the  council,  looking  steadfastly 
on  him  (Stephen)  saw  his  face  as  if  it  had  been  the  face  of  an  an- 
gel. 2  Cor.  3-,18.  But  we  all  with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  i*to  the  same  image,  from  glory 
to  glory,  even  as  by  the  S  iirit  of  the  Lord. 

a  Heb.  12:11.  Now  no  chastening  for  tlie  present  seemeth  to  be 


188  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART    III. 

On  earth  I  see  confusions   reel,* 
Yet  wisdom  ord'ring  all  things  well.'* 

I  sleep,  yet  have  a  waking  ear;^ 
I'm  blind  and  deaf  yet  see  and  hear/ 
Dumb,  yet  cry,  Abba,  Father  plain,* 
Born  only  once,  yet  born  again.*" 

My  heart's  a  mirror  dim  and  bright,* 
A  compound  strange   of  day    and  night,J 

joyous,  but  grievous,  &,c.  1  Pet.  1:6.  Wherein  ye  g^reatly  rejoice 
though  now  for  a  season,  (if  need  be)  ye  are  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations. 

b  James  1: 2.  My  bretliren,  count  it  all  joy  w^hen  ye  fall  into  di- 
vers temptations. 

c  Psalm  82:  .5.  They  know  not,  neither  will  they  understand; 
they  walk  on  in  darkness:  all  the  foundations  of  the  earth  are  out 
of  course. 

d  Psalm  29:10.  The  Lord  sitteth  upon  the  flood:  yea,  the  Lord 
sitteth  King  for  ever.  And  89:9.  Thou  rulest  the  raging  of  the 
sea;  when  the  waves  thereof  arise,  thou  stillest  them.  Rom.  8: 28. 
And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good,  to  them  that 
love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose. 

e  Song  5:2.  I  sleep,  but  my  heart  waketh;  it  is  the  voice  of  my 
Beloved  that  knocketli,  saying,  Open  to  me  my  isister,  my  love,  my 
dove,  my  undefiled:  for  my  head  is  filled  with  dew,  and  my  lucks 
with  the  drops  of  night. 

f  Isa.  42:18,19,  Hear,  ye  deaf,  and  look  ye  blind,  that  ye  may 
see.  Who  is  blind,  but  my  servant?  or  deaf  as  my  messenger  that 
I  sent?  who  is  blind,  as  he  that  is  perfect,  and  blind  as  the  Lord's 
servant?  And  35:5.  Then  the  eyes  of  tJie  blind  shall  be  opened, 
and  the  ears  of  the  deaf  shall  be  unstopped. 

g  Isa.  35:6.  Then  shall — the  tongue  of  the  dumb  sing;  for  in  the 
wilderness  shall  waters  break  out,  and  streams  in  the  desert.  Rom- 
8:15.  For  ye  have  not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  llsar; 
but  ye  have  received  the  spiritof  adoption,  whereby  we  cry,  Abba, 
Father. 

h  John  3:3—6.  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him,  (Nicode- 
mus,)  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a  man  be  born  again, 
he  cannot  sec  tlie  kingdom  of  God.  Nicodemus  saith  unto  him. 
How  can  a  man  be  born  when  he  is  old?  can  he  enter  the  second 
time  into  his  motlier's  womb  and  be  born?  Jesus  answered.  Veri- 
ly, verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of 
the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That  which 
is  born  of  the  flesh,  is  flesh;  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit, 
is  spirit. 

i  Lam.  5:17.  For  this  our  heart  is  faint,  for  these  things  our  eyes 
are  dim.  Isa.  32:3.  And  the  eyes  of  them  that  see  shall  not  be 
dim,  &.C. 

j  Zech.  14:7,  But  it  shall  be  one  day  which  shall  be  known  to 


SBCT.  X.  THE    believer's    KIDDLE.  189 

Of  dung  and  diamonds,  dross  and  gold;"^ 
Of  summer  heat,  and  winter  cold.' 

Down  like  a  stone  I  sink  and  dive,™ 
Yet  daily   upward  soar  and   thrive^" 
To  heav'n  I  fly,  to  earth  I  tend," 
Still  better  grow,  yet  never  mend.p 

the  Lord,  not  day,  nor  night;  but  it  sliall  come  to  pass,  that  at 
eveninef  time  it  shall  be  light. 

k  Mai.  2:3.  Behold,  I  will  corrupt  your  seed,  and  spread  dung 
upon  your  faces,  even  the  dung  of  your  solemn  feasts,  and  one 
shall  take  you  away  with  it.  Phil.  3:8.  Yea,doLTbtless,  and  I  count 
all  tilings  but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ 
Jesus  my  Lord;  for  whom  I.  have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and 
do  count  them  but  dung  that  I  may  win  Christ.  Isa,  62:3.  Thou 
shall  also  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal 
diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy  God.  Isa.  1:25.  And  I  will  turn  my 
hand  upon  thee,  and  purely  purge  away  thy  dross,  and  take  away 
all  thy  tin.  Job  23:10.  God  know^th  tli«  way  that  I  take;  when  he 
hath  tried  me,  [  shall  come  fortli  as  gold. 

1  Psalm  3:i:3.  My  heart  was  hot  within  me;  while  I  was  musing 
the  fire  burned.  Luke  24:32.  And  tliey  said  one  to  another.  Did 
notour  liearts  burn  witiiin  us,  wiiilc  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way, 
and  wliile  lie  opened  to  us  the  scriptures?  Matth.  24:12.  And  be- 
cause iniquity  shall  abound,  the  lovo  of  many  shall  wax  cold.  Rev. 
2:4.  Nevertheless,  I  have  somewhat  against  thee,  .because  thou 
hast  left  thy  first  love. 

m  Psalm  42:  6,7.  O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me; 
thereibre  will  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  and  of  the 
Hermonitcs,  from  the  hill  Mizar.  Deep  calleth  imto  deep,  at  the 
noise  of  thy  water-spouts;  all  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  are  gone 
over  me. 

n  Psalm  42:  8,9.  Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  ?ovJng  kind- 
ness in  the  day  time,  and  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me, 
and  my  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life.  I  will  say  unto  God  my 
rock.  Why  hast  thou  fbrgotton  me?  Why  go  1  mourning  because 
of  the  oppression  of  the  erieiiiy?  Ver.  11.  Why  art  thou  cast  down, 
O  my  soul?  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  meV  hope  thou  in 
God,  for  I  will  yet  praise  him,  who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance, 
and  my  God. 

o  Col.  3:1,2.  If  ye  then  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things 
whicli  are  above,  wliero  Chri'^t  'jitteth  on  the  right 'and  of  God. 
Set  your  affections  on  things  above,  ,  L  u;i  i:  Jiigs  on  the  earth. 
Psalm  44:25.  Our  soul  is  bowed  down  to  the  dust;  our  belly  cleav- 
eth  to  the  earth. 

p.  Hos.  14:5.  I  will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel,  he  shall  grow  as 
the  lily,  and  cast  forth  his  roots  as  Lebanon.  Ver.  7.  They  that  dwell 
under  his  shadow  shall  r..-turn,  they  shall  revive  as  the  corn,  and 
grow  as  the  vine;  the  scent  thereof  shall  be  as  the  wine  of  Lebanoa. 


190  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAHT   IH. 

My  heav'n'and  glory's  sure  to  me, 
Though  thereof  seldom  sure  I   be:i 
Yet  what  makes  me  the  surer  is, 
God  is  my  glory,''  I  am  his." 

My  life's  expos'd  to  open   view,* 
Yet  closely   hid  and  known  to  few." 
Some  know  my  place,  and   whence  I  came, 
Yet  neither  whence,  nor  where  I  am.' 

Phil.  3: 12,13,14.  Not  as  though  I  hadah'eady  attained,  either  were 
already  perfect;  but  I  follow  after,  if  that  I  ma}'  apprehend  that  for 
which  also  I  am  apprehended  of  Christ  Jesus.  Brethroi,  I  count 
not  mj'selrto  have  apprehended;  but  thi.s  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting 
tiiose  things  which  are  beliind,  and  reaching  lorth  unto  tliose 
things  which  are  before,  I  press  towards  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of 
the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Rom,  7:23,24.  But  I  see 
another  law  in  my  members,  warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind 
and  bringing  me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of  sin,  which  is  in  my 
members.  O  wretched  man  tliat  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from 
the  body  of  this  , death? 

q  John  14:2,3.  In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions;  if  it 
were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you:  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you. 
And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again,  and 
receive  you  unto  myselli  that,  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also. 
2  Pet.  1:10.  Wiierelbre  the  rather,  brethren,  give  all  diligence  to 
make  your  calling  and  election  sure.  Heb.  4:1.  I^et  us  therefore 
fear,  lest  a  promise  being  left  us  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  of 
you  should  seem  to  come  short  of  it. 

r  Psalm  3:3.  But  thou,  O  liord,  art  a  shield  for  me;  my  glory, 
and  the  lifter  up  of  niine  head.  Isa.  60:19.  The  sun  shall  be  no 
more  thy  liglit  by  day,  neither  for  brightness  shall  the  moon  give 
light  unto  thee,  but  the  Lord  shall  be  unto  thee  an  everlasting  light, 
and  thy  God  thy  glory. 

s  Isa.  46:13.  I  will  place  salvation  in  Zion  for  Israel  my  glory. 
2  Cor.  8:23.  Whether  do  any  intjuire  of  Titus,  he  is  my  partner  and 
fellow-helper  concerning  j'ou;  or  our  brethren  be  inquired  ol,  they 
are  the  messengers  of  the  churches,  and  the  glory  of  Christ. 

t  Psalm  44: 13.  Thou  makest  us  a  reproach  f«  our  neighbors,  a 
scorn  and  a  derision  to  them  that  are  round  about  us. 

u  Col.  3:3    Your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 

V  John  3:9,  10.  Nicodemus  answered  and  said  unto  him,  How 
can  these  things  be?  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  liim,  Art  thou 
a  master  of  Israel,  nnd  knowest  not  these  things?  Prov.  14: 10. 
The  heart  knoweth  his  own  bitterness;  and  a  stranger  doth  not  in. 
termeddle  with  his  joy.  1  John  4:16.  and  we  have  known  and 
believed  the  love  that  God  hath  to  us,  God  is  love;  and  he  that 
dweljeth  iu  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  hinj. 


SECT.  X.  THE    believer's    RIDDLE.  191 

r  live  in  earth,  which  is  not  odd; 

But  lo,  I  also  live  in   God:' 

A  Spirit  without  flesh  and  blood, 

Yet  with  them  both  to  yield  me  food.* 

I  leave  what  others  live  upon, 
Yet  live  I  not  on  bread  alone; 
But  food  adapted  to  my  mind, 
Bare  words,  yet  not  on  empty  wind.^ 

I'm  no  anthropophagite  rude. 

Though  fed  with  human  flesh  and  blood; 

But  live  superlatively  fine, 

My  food's  all  spirit,  all  divine.* 

I  feast  on  fulness  night  and  day," 
Yet  pinch'd  for  want  I  pine  away,*" 

w  Gal.  2:20.  I  am  crucified  with  Christ:  Nevertheless  I  live, 
yet  not  1,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me:  and  the  lil'e  wliich  I  now  live  in 
the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and 
gave  himself  for  me. 

X  John  4:24.  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him,  must 
worship  him  in  Spirit  and  in  truth.  And  6:53,54,55.  Then  said 
Jesus  unto  them,  (the  Jews,)  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Except 
ye  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  drink  his  blood,  ye  have  no 
life  in  you.  Whoso  eateth  my  flesh;  and  drinketh  my  blood  hath 
eternal  life,  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day.  For  my  flesh 
is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed. 

y  Matt.  4:4.  But  Jesus  answered  and  said  (unto  the  tempter,) 
It  is  written,  Man  sliall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word 
that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Jer.  15:16.  Thy  words 
were  sound,  and  I  did  eat  tlicm;  and  thy  word  was  unto  me  the 
joy  and  rejoicing  of  mine  heart,  for  I  am  called  by  thy  name,  O 
Lord  God  of  hosts. 

z  John  6:57,58.  As  the  living  Father  hath  sent  me,  and  I  live  by 
the  Father;  so  he  that  eateth  me,  even  he  shall  live  by  me.  T'his 
is  that  bread  which  came  down  from  heaven;  not  as  your  fathers 
did  eat  manna,  and  are  dead;  he  that  eateth  of  this  bread  shall  live 
forever.  Ver.  63.  It  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth,  the  flesli  profit- 
eth  notliing;  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you,  they  are  spirit  and 
they  are  life. 

a  Isa.  25:6.  And  in  this  mountain  shall  the  Lord  of  Hosts  inal«e 
unto  all  people  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a  feast  of  wines  on  the  lee^,  of 
fat  things  full  of  marrow,  of  wines  on  the  lees,  well  refined.  Ps. 
1:2.  But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  in  his  law  dotli 
he  meditate  day  and  night. 

b  Isa.  41:17.  When  the  poor  and  needy  seek  water,  and  there 
is  none,  and  their  tongue  faileth  for  thirst,  I  the  Lord  will  iiear 


192  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAKT  HI. 

My  leanness,  leanness,  ah!  I  cry;'' 
Yet  I'at  and  full  of  sap  am  I.'' 

As  all  amphibious  creatures  do, 
I  live   i't   InpH   and   watcj    too;'' 
To  good  and  evil  equal  bent,'' 
I'm  both  a  devil-  and  a  saint.'' 

While  some  men  who  on  earth  are  gods* 
Are  with  the  God  of  heaven  at  odds,J 

them,  I  the  God  of  Israel  will  not  forsake  them.  Psalm  40:17.  But 
I  am  poor  and  needy,  yet  the  Lord  thinketh  upon  me;  thou  art  my 
help  and  my  deliverer,  make  no  tarrying,  O  my  God. 

0  Isa.  24:16.  From  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  have  we 
heard  songs,  even  glory  to  the  righteous;  but  I  said,  My  leanness, 
my  leanness,  wo  unto  me;  the  treacherous  dealers  have  dealt  trea- 
cherously; yea,  the  treacherous  dealers  have  dealt  very  treacher- 
ously. 

d  Psalm  92: 13,14.  Those  that  be  planted  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God.  They  shall  still  bring 
forth  fruit  in  old  age;  they  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing.     And  104 : 

16.  The  trees  of  the  Lord  are  full  of  sap;  the  cedars  of  Lebanon 
which  he  hath  planted. 

c  Psalm  116:9.  I  will  walk  before  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the 
living.  And  69:1,2.  Save  me,  O  God,  for  the  waters  are  come  in 
unto  my  soul.  I  sink  in  deep  mire,  where  tliere  is  no  standing;  I 
am  come  into  deep  waters,  where  the  floods  overflow  me.     And  88: 

17.  Thy  terrors  come  round  about  me  daily  like  water,  they  com- 
passed me  about  together. 

f  Rom.  7:21.  I  find  then  a  law,  that  when  I  would  do  good  evil 
is  present  with  me. 
,  g  John  6: 70.  Jesus  answered  them,  have  I  not  chosen  you 
twelve,  and  one  of  you  is  a  devil?  And  8: 44.  Ye  are  of  your  father 
the  devil,  and  the  lustF  of  your  father  ye  will  do.  James  3:15. 
This  wisdom  descendeth  not  from  above,  but  is  earthly,  sensual, 
devilish. 

h  1  Cor.  6:11.  And  such  were  some  of  you;  but  ye  are  washed, 
but  ye  are  sanctified,  but  yo  are  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God. 

i  Psalm  82:6.  I  liave  said.  Ye  are  gods;  and  all  of  you  are  chil- 
dren of  the  most  High. 

j  Psahn  82:1,2.  God  standeth  in  the  congregation  of  the  migh- 
ty; he  judgeth  among  the  gods.  How  long  will  ye  judge  unjustly, 
and  accept  the  persons  of  the  wicked?  Selali.  Ver.  5.  They  know 
not,  neither  will  they  understand;  they  walk  on  in  darkness;  all  the 
foundations  of  the  earth  are  out  of  course. 


SECT.  X.  THE    BELIEVKr's    RIDDLE.  193! 

My  heart  where  hellish  legions  are'' 

Is  with  the  hosts  of  hell  at  war.^ 

My  will  fulfils  what's  hard  to  tell, 
/The  counsel  both  of  Heav'n""  and  hell." 

Heav'n,  without  sin,  will'd  sin  to  be;° 

Yet  will  to  sin,  is  sin  in  me-p 
.   To  duty  seldom  I  adhere,' 

Yet  to  the  end  I  persevere.'' 

I  die  and  rot  beneath  the  clod,' 

Yet  live  and  reign  as  long  as  God.* 

k  Matth,  15:19.  For  out  of  the  heart  proceed' evil  thoug-hts,  mur- 
:ders,  adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  false  witness,  blasphemies. 
Luke  8:30.  And  Jesus  asked  him,  saying,  WJiat  is  thy  name? 
and  he  said,  Legion;  because  many  devils  were  entered  into  him. 

1  Eph.  6:12.  For  we  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but 
against  principalities,  against  powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places. 

m  Rev.  17:17.  For  God  hath  put  into  their  hearts  to  fulfil  his 
will,  and  to  agree,  and  give  their  kingdom  unto  the  beast,  until  the 
words  of  God  shall  be  fnlfiUed. 

n  Eph.  2:3.  Among  whom  also  we  all  had  our  conversation  in 
times  past^  in  the  lusts  of  our  flesh,  and  of  the  mind;  and  were  by 
nature  the  children  of  wrath  even  as  others. 

o  James  1: 13.  Lot  no  man  say,  when  he  is  tempted,  I  am  tempt- 
ed of  God;  for  God  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil,  neither  tempteth 
he  any  man.  Acts  l:!."}, 16.  And  in  those  days  Peter  stood  up  in 
the  midst  of  the  disciples,  and  said,  Men  and  brethren,  this  scrip- 
ture must  needs  have  been  fulfilled,  which  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  the 
mouth  of  David,  spake  before  concerning  Judas,  which  was  guide 
to  them  that  took  Jesus.  And  2: 23.  Jesus  of  Nazareth  being  de- 
livered by  the  determinate  counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  ye 
have  taken,  and  by  wicked  hands  have  crucified  and  slain.  And 
4:27,28.  For  of  a  truth,  against  thy  holy  child  Jesus  whom  thou 
hast  anointed,  both  Herod  and  Pontius  Pilate,  with  tlie  Gentiles, 
and  the  people  of  Israel,  were  gathered  together,  for  to  do  whatso- 
ever thy  hand  and  thy  counsel  determined  before  to  bo  done. 

p  Hos.  5: 11.  Ephraim  is  oppressed,  and  broken  in  judgment,  be- 
cause he  willingly  walked  after  the  commandment.  2  Cor.  8:11, 
12.  Now  tlierc.bre  perform  the  doing  of  it;  that  as  there  was  a  readi- 
ness to  will,  so  there  may  bo  a  performance  also  out  of  tliat  which 
you  have:  For  if  there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  it  is  accepted  ac- 
cording to  that  a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he  hath  not. 
q  Psalm  llf):176.  I  liave  gone  astray  like  a  lost  sheep,  seek  thy 
servant;  for  I  do  not  forget  thy  commandments. 

r  Heb.  10: 39.  But  wc  are  not  of  them  who  draw  back  unto  per- 
dition: butof  tliem  that  believe,  to  the  saving  of  tlie  soul. 

s  Psalm  90:3.  Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction,  and  sayest.  Re- 
turn, ye  cliildren  of  men. 

t  John  5:24.  'Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that  heareth  mT 
17 


IM  GOSTEX  SOWPfETS.  PA*RT   Ut , 

Sect  XI.  The  mystery  of  Christ,  his  names,  natures,  and  offices 

My  Lord  appears;  awake^  my  soul, 
Admire  his  name,  the  Wonderful/ 
An  infinite  and  finite  mind;*" 
Eternity  and  time  conjoin'd.'^ 

'  The  everlasting  Father'  styl'd, 
Yet  lately  bom,  the  virgin's  child,* 
Nor  father  he,  nor  mother  had, 
Yet  full  vifith  both  relations  clad.^ 

His  titles  differ  and  accord, 

As  David's  son,  and  David's  Lord.' 

word,  and  believeth  on  him  tJiat  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life,  and 
shall  not  come  into  condeni-aation:  but  is  passed  from  death  unto- 
hfe.  Rev.  3:21.  To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with 
me  on  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  on  his  throne.  And  22:5.  And  tliere  shall  be  no  night 
there,  and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun;  lor  the 
Lord  givcth  them  ligiit;  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

a  Isa.  9:G.  For  unto  iis  a  child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given,  and 
the  government  shall  be  upon  his  shoulders;  and  Iiis  name  shall  be 
called  Wonderliil. 

b  Psalm  147:5.  Great  is  onr  Lord,  and  of  great  power;  his  un- 
derstanding is  infinite.  Luke  2:52.  And  Jesus  increased  in  wis- 
<Jom  and  stature,  and  in  favor  with  God  and  man. 

c  Gal.  4:4.  But  when  the  fiilness  of  the  time  was  come,  God  sent 
forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law. 

d  Isa.  9:  6,  For  unto  us  a  child  is  born — :  and  his  name  shall  be 
called — The  everlasting  Father.  Mattli.  1:23.  Behold,  a  virgin 
shall  be  witli  child,  and  shall  bring  forth  a  Son,  and  they  shall  call 
his  name  Emmanuelr  which   being    interpreted,  is,  God   with  us- 

e  Heb.  7:3.  For  this  Melchisedcc — without  father,  without  mo- 
tlier,  without  descent,  having  neither  beginning  of  days,  nor  end  of 
life;  but  made  like  unto  the  Son  of  God,  abideth  a  priest  continual- 
ly. Luke  2:48,49.  And  when  they  saw  him,  they  were  amazed; 
ana  ins  motlicr  said  unto  him,  Son,  why  hast  thou  so  dealt  with  us?' 
behold,  thy  Father  and  I  have  sought  thee  sorrowing.  And  he 
said  unto  them,  How  is  it  that  hs  sought  me?-  wist  3'e  not  that  I 
must  be  about  my  Father's  business? 

f  Matth.  22:41 — 45.  While  the  Pharisees  were  gathered  toge- 
ther, Jesus  asked  Ihem,  saying.  What  think  ye  ot  Christ?  whcse 
non  is  he?  They  said  unto  him.  The  son  of  David.  He  saith  unto 
them,  How  then  dotli  David  in  spirit  call  him  Lord,  saying.  The 
Lord  saith  unto  my  Lord,  Sit  thou  on  my  right  hand,  till  I  make 
thine  enemies  my  footstool?  If  David  tlien  call  him  Lord,  how  is  he- 
his  8on,  &c. 


^ECT.  XI.  THE    believer's    RIDDLT!.  1^5 

Through  earth  and  kell  he  conqu'ring  rodf ., 
The  dying  man,  the  rising  God!* 

My  nature  is  corruption  doons'd:'' 
Yet  when  my  nature  he  assum'd, 
He  nor  on  hina  (to  dfink  the  brook)' 
My  person  nor  corruption  took,-* 

Yet  he  assum'd  my  sia  and  guilt," 
For  which  the  noble  blood  was  spilth 

gMatth.  21:5.  Tell  je  the  daughters  of  Zion,  Behold,  thy  King 
icometh  unto  thee,  raeek,  and  sitting  upon  an  ass,  and  a  colt  the  toal 
ofan  ass.  Vet.  8:9.  And  a  very  gresit  multitude  spread  tlieir  gar- 
ments in  the  wa)';  others  cut  down  branches  from  the  trees,  and 
strewed  them  in  the  way.  And  tlie  multitude  that  went  before  and 
that  followed,  cried,  saying,  Hosannah  to  tlie  son  of  David :  blessed 
is  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  Iloi^arma  in  the  highesi. 
Vor.  12.  And  Jesus  went  into  the  temple  of  God,  and  cast  out  all 
them  that  sold  and  bought  in  tkc  temple,  and  overthi^w  the  tnble«! 
of  the  money  changers,  and  the  seats  of  them  that  sold  doves.  Coi. 
2:1S.  And  having  spoiled  princip.alities  and  powers,  ho  made  a  show 
of  thorn  openly,  triumpliing  over  them  in  it  (his  cross.)  Rom.  4; 
25.  Jesus  our  Lord  was  delivered  lor  our  offences,  and  was  rj^ised 
«gain  for  our  justification.  Epii.  4:S,  Wherefore-,  he  (David)  saJtJi, 
When  he  .  sccnded  up  on  high,  he  led  captivity  captive,  and  gave 
gifts  unto  men.  Rom.  1:4.  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  was  declared  h 
be  the  Son  of  God  with  power,  according  to  the  spirit  of  holiness  by 
the  resurrection  fronj  the  dead. 

h  Eph.  4:'2'2.  Put  otf,  concerning  the  former  conversatioii,  the  old 
man  which  is  corrupt,  according  to  the  deceitful  lusts. 

i  Psalm  110:7.  He  shall  drink  of  the  brook  in  the  way;  therefore 
shall  he  lift  up  the  head-v 

j  Rom.  3:  -3.  God  sent  his  own  Son,  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flcKlj, 
and  for  sin  condemned  sin  in  the  flesli-  John  1:14.  And  the  Word 
was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  us  (and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the 
glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father)  full  of  grace  and  truth. 
Luke  1:35.  And  the  angel  answered  and  said  unto  Mary,  the  Ho- 
ly Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest  shall 
overshadow  tliee:  therefore  also  that  holy  thing  which  shall  be  born 
of  thee-,  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God.  Heb.  2:16.  For  verily,  be 
took  not  on  him  the  nature  of  angels;  but  he  took  on  him  the  seed 
of  Abraham.  And  7:26,27.  For  such  an  High  Priest  became  us, 
who  is  holy,  harmless,  iindefiled,  separate  from  sinners,  and  made 
higher  than  the  heavens;  who  needeth  not  daily,  as  those  high 
priests,  to  offer  up  sacrifice,  first  for  his  own  sins,  and  then  for  the 
people's;  for  this  he  did  once,  when  he  offered  up  himself. 

k  Isa.  5.3:5,6.  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray;  we  have  turn- 
ed every  one  to  his  own  way,  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the 
i«  jquity  of  us  alL    2  Cor,5: 2L  God  liath  made  Christ  to  be  sin  for 


196  60SPEL   SONNETS,  ?AET  ni. 

Great  was  the  guilt  o'erflowing  floods 
The  creature's  and  Creator's  blood;* 

The  Chief  of  chiefs  amazing  came,"' 
To  bear  the  glory  and  the  shame." 
Anointed  Chief  with  oil  of  joy," 
Crown'd  Chief  with  thorns  of  sharp  annoy.^ 

Lo,  in  his  white  and  ruddy  face 
Roses  and  lilies  strive  for  p}ace;i 
The  morning  star,  the  rising  sun 
With  equal  speed  and  splendor  run.'  " 

How  glorious  is  the  church's  head. 
The  son  of  God,  the  woman's  seed;, 

us,  who  knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousnass  of 
God  in  him.  Matth.  20:28.  The  son  of  man  eame  to  give  his  life 
a  ransom  for  many. 

1  Rom.  3: 25.  Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation » 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for  the  re- 
mission  of  gins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance  of  God.  Acts 
20:28.  Feed  the  church  of  God,  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his 
own  blood.  1  Pet.  1:18,19.  For  as  much  as  ye  know  that  ye  were 
not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your 
vain  conversation  received  by  tradition  from  your  fathers;  but  with 
tlie  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  Lamb  without  blemish  and 
without  spot.  1  John  3:16.  Hereby  perceive  we  the  love  of  God, 
because  he  laid  down  his  life  for  us. 

mRev.  1:4,5.  Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace  from — Jesus  Christ,, 
who  is  the  faithful  witness,  and  the  first  begotten  of  the  dead,  and 
the  prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

n  Zech.  6: 12,13.  Behold,  the  man  whose  name  is  the  BRANCH 
— he  shall  build  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  and  lie  shall  bear  the  glo- 
ry. Heb,  12: 2.  Jesus,  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him,  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  &c. 

o  Psalm  45:  7.  Thou  lovest  righteousness,  and  hatest  wickedness, 
therefore  God,  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness 
above  thy  fellows. 

p  Matth.  27:29.  And  when  they  had  platted  a  crown  of  thorns, 
they  put  it  upon  his  head,  and  a  reed  in  his  riglit  hand;  and  they 
bowed  the  knee  before  him,  and  mocked  him;  saying.  Hail,  King- 
of  the  Jews. 

q  Song  2.1.  I  am  the  rose  of  Sharon,  and  the  lily  of  the  valleys. 
And  5: 10.  My  beloved  is  white  and  ruddy,  the  chiefest  among  ten 
tliousand. 

r  Rev.  22: 16.  I  (Jesus)  am  the  root  and  the  offspring  of  David» 
a.nd  the  bright  and  morning  star.  Mai.  4.-2.  But  unto  you  that  fear 
my  name,  shall  the  Sun  of  righteousness  arise  with  healing  in  his 
wings;  and  ye  shall  go  forth,  and  grow  up,  as  calves  of  the  stall. 

s  Col.  1:18.  And   Christ  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church? 


€ECT.  ICI.  THE  BEIIEVEr's  "SlDDLEo  3I>7 

How  searchless  is  his  noble  clan,* 
The  first,  the  last,  the  second  man;" 

With  equal  brightness  in  his  face. 
Shines  divine  justice,  divine  grace;^ 
The  jarring  glories  kindly  nteet, 
Stern  vengeance  and  compassion  sweet* 

God  is  a  Spirit,  seems  it  odd 
To  sing  aloud  the  blood  of  God.'' 
Yea.  hence  my  peace  and  joy  result, 
And  here  my  lasting  hope  is  built, y 

•who  is  the  beginning,  the  first  born  from  the  dead;  tfiat  in  all  things 
he  might  Iiave  the  pre-eminence.  John  3:16.  God  so  loved  the 
world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth 
in  him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  Gen.  3:15 
And  I  (the  Lord  God")  will  put  enmity  between  thee  and  the  wo- 
man, and  between  thy  seed  and  her  seed;  it  shall  braise  thy  head, 
and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel. 

t  Isa.  53:8.  He  was  taken  from  prison  and  from  judgment;  and 
who  shall  declare  his  generation^  Frov.  30: 4.  Who  hath  ascended 
up  into  heaven,  or  descended?  who  hath  gathered  the  wind  in  hie 
fists?  VVIio  hath  bound  the  waters  in  a  garincnl?  w!io  hath  estab- 
lished a]l  the  ends  of  the  eartli?  what  is  his  name,  and  wliat  is  his 
•Son's  name,  if  tliou  canst  tellT 

u  Rev.  1:11.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  first  and  the  last,  i 
Cor.  15:45.  The  last  Adam  was  made  a  quickening  spu'it.  Ver 
47.  The  second  man  is  the  Lord  from  heaven. 

V  2  Cor  4:6.  For  Gcd  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of 
darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  know- 
ledge of  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.  Rom.  3:24, 
25,26.  Being  justified  freely  by  his  grate,  through  the  redemption 
that  is  in  Jesus  Christ:  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitia- 
tion,  through  faijh  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  rigliteousness  for  the 
remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  througli  the  tbrbearauce  of  God;  to 
declare  1  say  at  this  time  his  righteousness;  that  he  might  be  just, 
and  the  justifier  of  him  which  believeth  in  Jesus.  Eph,  1:0,7.  To  the 
praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  wlicrcin  he  hath  made  us  accepted 
in  the  beloved:  in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
the  forgiveness  of  sins  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace. 

w  Rom.  5:20,21.  But  where  sin  abounded,  grace  did  much  more 
abound:  that  as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even  so  might  grace 
reign  througli  righteousness  Mnto  eternal  lilc,  by  .Tesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Psalm  85:10.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  togetlier,  righteous- 
ness  and  peace  have  kissed  each  otlier. 

X  John  4:24.  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  tliat  worship  him,  must 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  Acts  20:28.  Feed  the  church 
of  God,  which  he  hat!i  purchased  with  his  own  blood. 

y  Rom.  5:1.  Therefore,  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
17* 


198  &OSFEL   SONNETSr  PAHT  III, 

Love  through  his  blood  a  vent  has  sought. 
Yet  divine  love  was  never  bought; 
Mercy  could  never  purchas'd  be. 
Yet  ev'ry  mercy  puicba&'d  he.* 

His  triple  station  bro^ke  my  peace^ 
The  Altar,  Priest,  and  sacrifice;* 
His  triple  office  ev'ry  thing, 
My  Priest  my  Prophet  is,  and  King^* 

This  King,  who  only  man  became^ 
Is  both  the  Lion  and  the  Lamb;= 


with  God,  tlirough  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Ver.  10.  For  if  when  w& 
were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son; 
much  more,  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  lifs.  1  Pet, 
3:15.  Be  ready  always  to  give  an  answer  to  every  man  that  asketh 
you  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  you,  with  meekness  and  fear 
Ver.  18.  For  Christ  hath  also  once  suffered  for  sins,  the  just  for  the 
unjust,  (that  he  might  bring  us  to  God,)  being  put  to  death  in  the 
flesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit. 

z  Rom.  5:9.  Much  more  then  being  now  justified  by  his  blood, 
we  shall  bo  saved  from  wrath  through  him.  Ver.  21.  See  letter  w. 
John  3:16,  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life,  Rom,  9:15.  God  saith  to  Moses,  I  will  iiave  mercy 
on  whom  I  will  have  mercy,  and  I  will  have  compassion  on  whom' 
I  will  have  compassion.  Ei)h.  1:3,  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual 
blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ. 

a  Heb.  13:10,  Vie  have  an  altar  whereof  they  have  na  right  to« 
eat,  wliich  serve  the  tabernacle.  And  2.47,  Wherefore  in  all 
things  it  behoved  him  to  be  made  like  unto  his  brethren,  that  he- 
might  be  a  merciful  and  faithful  high  priest,  in  things  pertaining 
to  God,  to  make  reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  And  9: 
26.  But  now,  once  in  the  end  of  the  world,  hath  Christ  appeared 
to  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself.  ' 

b  Acts  7: 37.  This  is  that  Moses  which  said  unto  the  children,' 
of  Israel,  A  prophet  sliall  the  Lord  j'our  God  raise  up  unto  you  of 
your  brethren,  like  unto  me;  him  sliall  you  hear.  Isa.  33:22,  The 
Lord  is  our  Judge,  the  Lord  is  our  lawgiver,  the  Lord  is  our  King, 
he  will  save  us, 

c  1  Tim.  3:16.  And  without  controversy,  great  is  the  mystery  of 
godliness;  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  &c.  Rev.  5.-5,6  And 
one  of  the  elders  saith  nntoiue  (Jolm,)  Weep  not;  behold,  the  Lioii 
of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  the  root  of  David,  hath  prevailed  to  open  the 
book,  and  to  loose  the  seven  seals  thereof.  And  I  beheld,  and  lo, 
in  the  midst  of  tlie  throne,  and  of  the  four  beasts,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  elders  stood  a  Lamb  as  it  had  been  slain,  having  seven 


SECT.  XII.  THE   believer's   RIDDLE,  199 

A  King  of  kings  and  kingdoms  broad;'' 
A  eervant  both  to  man  and  God.* 

This  Prophet  kind  himself  has  set 
To  be  my  book  and  alphabet, 
And  ev'ry  needful  letter  plain. 
Alpha,  Omega,  and  Amen.^ 

Sect.  xii.    The  mystery  of  the  Believer's  fixed  state  further  en» 
larged;  and  his  getting  forth  out  of  evil. 

Behold,  I'm  all  defil'd  with  sin;* 
Yet  lo,  all  glorious  am  within. *• 

horns,  and  seven  eyes,  which  are  the  seven  Spirits  of  God  sent 
forth  into  all  the  earth.  Ver.  12.  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  tliat  was  slain, 
to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor, 
and  glory,  and  blessing. 

d  Rev.  19:16.  And  he  (the  Word  of  God)  hath  on  his  vesture 
and  on  his  thigh  a  name  written,  KING  OF  KINGS,  AND 
LORD  OF  LORDS.  Isa.  37.15,16.  And  Hezekiah  prayed  unto 
the  Lord,  saying,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  God  of  Israel,  tliat  dwellcst  be- 
tween the  cherubinis,  thou  art  the  God,  even  tliou  alone,  of  all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  earth,  thou  hast  made  heaven  and  earth.  Rev.  11:15, 
And  the  seventh  angel  sounded,  and  there  were  great  voices  in 
heaven,  saying.  The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Clirist,  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and 
ever. 

e  Matth.  15 :28.  Tlie  Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto, 
but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many,  Phil.  2:7, 
Christ  Jesus  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took  upon  him 
the  fonr.  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men,  Isa, 
42: 1.  Behold  my  servant  whom  I  uphold,  mine  elect,  in  whom  my 
soul  delighteth.  And  53:11.  By  his  knowledge  shall  my  servant 
justify  many. 

f  Rev.  1:8.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end- 
ing, saith  the  Lord,  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is  to 
come,  the  Almiglity.  Ver.  11. 1  am  Aljjha  and  Omega,  the  first  and 
the  last;  and.  What  tliou  (John)  seest,  write  in  a  book,  and  send  it 
unto  the  seven  churches  which  are  in  Asia.  And  21:6.  I  am  Al- 
pha and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end  :  I  will  give  unto  him 
that  is  athirst  of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  And  22:13, 
I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end,  the  first  and 
tlie  last.  And  3:14.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  of  the  La- 
odiceans,  write,  These  things  saith  the  Amen,  the  faithful  and 
true  witness,  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God,  &-c, 

a  Isa.  64:6.  But  we  are  all  as  an  unclean  thing,  and  all  our 
righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags. 

b  Psalm  45:13.  The  King's  daughter  is  all  glorious  within;  her 
clothing  is  of  wrought  gold. 


800  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  III. 

In  Egypt  and  in  Goshen  dwell;" 
Still  moveless,  and  in  motion  still.* 

Unto  the  name  that  most  1  dread, 
I  flee  with  joyful  wings  and  speed.* 
My  daily   hope  does  most  depend 
On  him  I  daily  most  offend.' 

All  things  against  me  are   combin'd, 
Yet   working  for   my   good,   I    findjS 
I'm   rich   in    midst    of  poverties," 
And   happy   in   my   miseries.' 

Oft   my    Comforter   sends   me   grief, 
My   helper   sends   me    no   relief.^ 

c  Psalm  120:5,6.  Wo  is  me  that  I  sojourn  in  Mesech,  that  I 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  Kedar.  My  soul  hath  long-  dwelt  with  him 
that  haleth  peace.  16:5,6.  The  Lord  is  the  portion  of  mine  inherit- 
ance, and  of  ray  cup:  thou  maintainest  my  lot.  The  lines  are 
fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places:  yea,  I  have  a  goodly  heritage. 

d  1  Cor.  15:58.  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast, 
immoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch 
as  you  know  tliat  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

e  Psalm  143:2.  O  Lord  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  ser- 
vant: for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justified.  Ver.  9.  De- 
liver me,0  Lord,  from  mine  enemies:  I  flee  unto  thee  to  hide  me. 

f  Psairn  25:11.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  in- 
iquity; for  it  is  great  Jer.  14:7.  O  Lord,  though  our  iniquities 
testify  against  us,  do  thou  it  for  thy  name's  sake;  for  our  backsli- 
dings  are  many,  we  have  sinned  against  thee. 

g-  Gen.  42: 36.  And  Jacob  their  father  said  unto  them.  Me  have 
ye  bereaved  of  my  children;  Joseph  is  not,  and  Simeon  is  not,  and 
ye  will  take  Benjamin  away:  all  these  things  are  against  me.  Rom. 
8: 28.  And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God,  to  tliem  who  are  tlie  called  according  to  his  purpose. 

h  Rev.  2:8,9.  And  unto  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Smyrna, 
write,  These  things  saith  the  first  and  the  last,  which  was  dead, 
and  is  alive;  I  know  thy  works,  and  tribulations,  and  poverty,  (but 
thou  art  rich.) 

i  Rorn.  5:  3,4,5.  And  not  only  so,  but  we  glory  in  tribulations 
also,  knowing,  that  tribulation  worketh  patience;  and  patience,  ex- 
perioncf>;  and  experience, hope;  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed,  be- 
cause the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts,  by  the  Holy 
Gho»t  which  is  given  unto  us.  2  Cor.  12:10.  Therefore  I  (Paul) 
take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  necessities,  in  perse- 
cutions, in  distresses  for  Christ's  sake;  for  when  I  am  weak,  then 
am  I  strong. 

j  Lam.  1:16.  For  tliese  tilings  I  weep,  mine  eye,  mine  eye  run- 


HBCT.  XII.  THE   BELIEVEr's    RIDDLE.  201 

Yet  herein  my  advantage  lies, 
The  help  and  comfort  he  denies,"' 

As  seamsters  into  pieces  cut 
The  cloth  they  into  form  would  put. 
He  cuts  me  down  to  make  me  up, 
And  empties  me  to  fill  my  cup.^ 

I  never  can  myself  enjoy, 
Till  he  my  woful  self  destroy; 
And  most  of  all  myself  I  am, 
When  most  I  do  myself  disclaim,"* 

I  glory  in  infirmities," 

Yet  daily  am  asham'd  of  these;" 

neth  down  with  water,  because  the  comforter,  that  should  reh'eve 
my  soul,  is  far  from  me.  Isa.  4.5: 15.  Verily  thou  art  a  God  that 
hidest  thyself,  O  God  of  Israel  tlie  Saviour. 

k  Isa.  30:18.  And  therefore  will  the  Lord  wait,  that  he  may 
be  gracious  unto  you,  and  therefore  will  he  be  exalted,  that  he  may 
have  mercy  upon  you;  for  tlie  Lord  is  a  God  of  judgment;  blessed 
are  all  they  that  wait  for  him. 

1  Hos.  5: 15.  I  will  go  and  return  to  my  place,  till  they  acknow- 
ledge their  offence,  and  seek  my  face;  in  their  afHiction  they  will 
seek  me  early.  And  G:l,2.  Come  and  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord; 
for  he  hath  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us;  he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will 
bind  us  up.  After  two  days  he  will  revive  us,  in  the  third  day  he 
will  raise  us  up,  and  we  shall  live  in  his  sight.  Psalm  107:9.f 
God  satisfieth  the  longing  soul,  and  filleth  the  hungry  soul  with 
goodness.  Luke  1:53.  And  Mary  said.  He  hath  filled  the  hungry 
with  good  things,  and  tiie  rich  he  hath  sent  empty  away. 

m  Luke  9:23,24.  And  .Tesus  said  to  them,  If  any  man  will  come 
after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  daily  and 
follow  me.  For  whosoever  will  save  his  life,  shall  lose  it:  but 
whosoever  will  lose  his  life  for  my  sake,  the  same  shall  save  it. 
Romans  8: 13.  If  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die;  but  if  ye 
through  the  spirit,  do  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live. 
2  Cor.  12: 10.  See  letter  i. 

n  2  Cor.  12:9.  Most  gladly  therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  ray 
infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me. 

o  Psalm  73:15,16.  If  I  say,  I  will  sjieak  thus;  behold,  I  should 
offend  against  the  generatipn  of  thy  children.  When  I  thought  to 
know  this,  it  was  too  painful  for  me.  A  d  77:  8,9,10.  Is  his  mer- 
cy clean  gone  for  ever?  doth  his  promise  fail  for  evermore;  hath 
God  forgotten  to  be  gracious;  hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender 
mercies?  Selah.  And  I  said.  This  is  my  infirmity;  but  I  will  re- 
member the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  tlie  Most  High» 


202  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  III. 

Yea,  all  my  pride  gives  up  the  ghost, 
When  once  I  but  begin  to  boast. » 

My  chemistry  is  most  exact, 
Heaven  out  of  hell  I  do  extract:' 
This  art  to  me  a  tribute  brings 
Of  useful  out  of  hurtful  things. ■■ 

I  learn  to  draw  well  out  of  wo, 
And   thus  to  disappoint  the  foe;' 
Tiie  thorns  that  in  my  flesh  abide, 
Do  prick  the  tympany  of  pride.* 

By  wounding  foils  the  field  I  win. 
And  sin  itself  destroys  my  sin:" 

p  Isa.  45:24,25.  Surely,  shall  one  say,  in  the  Lord  have  I  righte- 
ousness and  strength:  even  to  him  shall  men  come,  and  all  that  are 
incensed  against  him,  shall  be  ashamed.  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the 
seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory.  Psalm  44:6.  I  will  not 
trust  in  my  bow,  neither  shall  my  sword  save  me.  Ver.  8.  In  God 
we  boast  all  the  day  long;  and  praise  thy  name  for  ever.  Selah. 

q  Jonah  2: 1,2.  Tlien  Jonah  prayed  unto  the  Lord  his  God  out 
of  the  fish's  belly,  and  said,  I  cried,  by  reason  of  mine' affliction 
unto  the  Lord,  and  he.  heard  me;  out  of  the  belly  of  hell  cried  I, 
and  thou  heardst  my  voice.  Ver.  3.  Then  I  said,  I  am  cast  out  of 
thy  siglit;  yet  I  will  look  again  toward  tliy  holy  temple.  Matth. 
15:26,27,28.  But  Jesus  answered  and  said  [unto  the  woman  of  Ca- 
naan,] It  is  not  meet  to  take  the  children's  bread,  and  cast  it  to 
dogs.  And  she  said.  Truth,  Lord;  yet  the  dogs  eat  of  the  crumbs 
which  fall  from  their  master's  table.  TJien  Jesus  answered  and 
said  unto  her,  O  woman,  great  is  thy  faith:  be  it  unto  thee  even  as 
thou  wilt.  And  her  daughter  was  made  whole  from  that  very  hour. 
Psalm  42;  6,7,8.  O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me:  there- 
fore will  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  and  of  the 
Hcrmonitcs,  from  the  hill  Mizar.  Deep  calleth  unto  deep,  at  the 
noise  of  thy  water  spouts;  all  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  are  gone 
over  me.  Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  loving  kindness  in  the 
day-time,  and  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me,  and  my  pray- 
er unto  the  Ciod  of  my  life. 

r  Rom.  5: 3,4,5.  See  letter  i. 

s  Mic.  7:4.  Rejoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy:  When  I 
fall,  I  shall  rise;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light 
unto  me. 

t  2- Cor.  12:7.  And  lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure, 
through  the  abundance  of  the  revelations,  there  was  given  to  me  a 


8ECT.   XII.  THE   BELIEVEr's    RIDDLE.  203 

My  luats  break  one  another's  pate, 
And  each  corruption  kills  its  mate.^ 

I  smell  the  bait  I  feel  the  harm 
Of  corrupt  ways  and  take  th'  alarm. 
I  taste  the  bitterness  of  sin, 
And  then  to  relish  grace  begin." 

thorn  in  the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest  I 
.should  be  exalted  above  measure. 

u  Rom.  8:35.37.  Wiio  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ? 
shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  naked- 
ness, or  peril,  or  sword?  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than 
conquerors,  through  him  that  loved  us.  Psalm  G5:3.  Iniquities 
prevail  against  me;  as  for  our  transgressions,  thou  slialt  purge 
them  away.  2  Chron.  32.-24,25,26.  In  those  days  Hezekiah  was 
Bick  to  the  death,  and  prayed  unto  the  Lord;  and  he  spake  unto  him, 
and  he  gave  him  a  sign.  But  Hezekiah  rendered  not  again,  ac- 
cording  to  the  benefit  done  unto  him;  for  his  heart  was  lilted  up; 
therefore  there  was  wrath  upon  liim,  and  upon  Judah  and  .Jerusa- 
lem. Notwithstanding,  Hezekiah  humbled  liimself  for  the  pride  of 
his  heart,  (both  he  and  tlie  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,)  so  tiiat  the 
wrath  of  tiie  Lord  came  not  upon  tliem  in  the  days  of  Hezekiah. 

V  Rom.  7  :7,8,9.  What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  the  law  sin?  God 
forbid.  Nay,  I  had  not  known  sin  but  by  the  law:  for  I  had  not 
known  lust,  except  tlie  law  had  .said.  Thou  sljalt  not  covet.  But 
sin  taking  occasion  by  the  commandment,  wrought  in  me  all 
manner  of  concupiscence.  For  without  the  law,  sin  was  dead. 
For  I  was  alive  without  the  law  once;  but  when  the  commandment 
came  sin  revived,  and  I  died.  Ver.  11.  For  sin,  taking  occasion  by 
the  commandment,  deceived  me,  and  by  it  slew  me.  Ver.  13.  Was 
then  that  which  is  good  made  deatli  mito  me?  God  forbid.  But  sin 
that  it  might  appear  sin,  working  death  in  me  by  tiiat  which  is 
good;  that  sin  by  the  commandment  might  become  exceeding  sin- 
ful. Where  you  see  the  siffht  and  feeling  of  sin,  killed  self.  John 
9:39,40,41.  And  Jesus  said.  For  judgment  I  am  come  into  this 
world;  that  they  which  see  not,  might  see;  and  that  they  which  see, 
might  be  made  blind.  And  some  of  the  Pharisees  wliich  were 
with  him,  heard  these  words,  and  said  unto  him,  Are  we  blind  also? 
Jesus  said  unto  them,  If  ye  were  blind  ye  should  have  no  sin:  but 
now  yc  say.  We  see;  therefore  your  sin  remaineth.  Psalm  59.-11. 
Slay  them  not,  lest  my  peoi>le  forget?  scatter  them  by  thy  power; 
and  bring  them  down,  O  Lord  our  shield.  Matth.  2G:33,34.  Peter 
answered  and  said  unto  him.  Though  all  men  shall  beoifended  be- 
cause of  thee,  yet  will  I  never  be  offended.  Jesus  said  unto  him. 
Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  that  this  nigiit  before  the  cock  crow,  thou 
shalt  deny  me  thrice.  Ver.  75.  And  Peter  remembered  the  words 
of  Jesus  which  he  said  unto  him.  Before  tiie  cock  crow,  thou  shalt 
deny  me  thrice.     And  lie  went  out,  and  wept  bitterly. 


204  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  III. 

I  hear  the  fools  profanely  talk, 
Thence  wisdom  learn  in  work  and  walk:* 
I  see  them  throng  the  passage  broad, 
And  learn  to  take  tLe   narrow  road.^ 

Sect.  xiii.    The  mystery  of  the  Saints'  adversaries  and  adversities. 

A  LUMP  of  wo  affliction  is; 

Yet  thence  I  borrow  lumps  of  bliss,* 

w  Rom.  6:21.  What  fruit  had  ye  theji  in  those  things,  whereof 
ye  are  now  ashamed?  for  the  end  of  those  things  is  death.  Psalm 
19:11.  Moreover,  by  them  (the  judgments  of  the  Lord)  is  thy 
servant  warned:  and  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward. 
And  73:17,18,19.  Until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of  God;  then  tm- 
derstood  I  their  end.  Surely  thou  didst  set  them  in  slippery  places; 
thou  castedst  them  down  into  destruction.  How  are  they  brought 
into  desolation  as  in  a  moment;  they  are  utterly  consumed 
with  terrors.  .Ter.  2:19.  Tliine  own  wickedness  shall  correct  thee, 
and  thy  backslidings  shall  reprove  thee;  know  therefore  and  see, 
that  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts. 

X  Job  21:13,14,15.  They  sjiend  their  days  in  wealth,  and  in  a 
moment  go  down  to  the  grave.  Therefore  they  say  unto  God,  De- 
part from  us;  for  we  desire  not  tlie  knowledge  of  tliy  ways.  What 
is  the  Almighty,  that  we  should  serve  him?  and  what  profit  should 
we  have  if  we  pray  unto  him?  Eph.  4:20,21,22.  But  ye  have  not 
so  learned  Christ;  if  so  bo  that  ye  have  heard  him,  and  been  taught 
by  him,  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus;  that  ye  put  off,  concerning  the 
former  conversation,  the  old  man,  which  is  corrupt,  according  to 
the  deceitful  lusts.  And  5:6,7,8.  Let  no  man  deceive  you  willi  vain 
words;  for  because  of  these  things  comcth  the  wrath  of  God  upon 
the  children  of  disobedience.  Be  not  ye  therefore  partakers  with 
them.  For  ye  were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now  ore  ye  light  in 
the  Lord;  walk  as  children  of  light.  Ver.  11.  And  have  no  fellow- 
ship with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove 
them. 

y  Matt.  7: 13,14.  Enter  ye  in  at  the  strait  gate;  for  wide  is  the 
gate,  and  broad  is  the  way  that  leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many 
there  be  which  go  in  thereat;  because  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow 
is  the  way  which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be  that  find  it. 

a  Heb.  12: 11.  Now  no  chastening  for  the  present  sccmeth  to  be 
joyous,  but  grievous;  nevertheless,  afterward  it  yieldetli  tjic  peace- 
able  fruit  of  righteousness,  unto  them  which  are  exeiciscd  thereby. 
James  1:12.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptatioH:  for 
when  he  is  tried  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  the  Lord 
bath  promised  to  them  that  love  hira. 


SECT.  XIII.  THE   believer's    KIDDLE.  205 

Though  few  can    see  a  blessing  in't, 
It  is  my  furnace  and   my   mint.'' 

Its  sharpness  does  my  lusts  dispatch;"= 

Its  sud  '-^nness  alarms  my  watch,'' 

its  bitterness  refines  my  taste, 

And  weans  me  from  the  creature's  breast.* 

Its  weightiness  does  try  my  back, 
That  faith  and  patience   be  not  slack. *^ 
It  is  a  fanning  wind  whereby 
I  am  unchaff'd  of  vanity. ^ 

A  furnace  to  refine  my  grace,*" 
A  wing  to  lift  my  soul  apace;' 
Hence  still  the  more  I  sob  distresf. 
The  more  I  sing  my  endless  rest.' 

b  Isa.  31:!).  And  he  (the  Assyrian)  shall  pass  over  to  his /""'^'^S' 
hold  for  fear,  and  his  princes  sliall  bo  afraid  of  the  ensigMi  '''•itii 
tiie  Lord,  whose  fire  is  in  Zion,  and  Jiis  furnace  in  Jerusa&n-- 

0  Psalm  4.5:5.  Thine  arrows  are  sJiarp  in  the  heart  of  th*" king's 
enemies;  wherehy  the  people  fall  under  thee. 

d  Mark  13:.9.5,36,37.  Watch  ye  tlicrefore,  (for  ye.-<now-  not 
when  the  master  of  the  house  cometh:  at  even,  or  at  Ti'dnijrht,  or 
at  the  cock  crowing,  or  in  the  morning,)  lest  coming-''U'l'^6nly,  he 
find  you  slecjang.    And  what  I  sa}-^  unto  you,  I  say  r-'^o  ''^^U  Watch. 

eJer.  2:l!i.  See  letter  w  forocited.  And  4:lf  Thy  way  and 
thy  doings  have  jirocurcd  those  tilings  unto  thee  ''^'^  ^^  *^'iy  wick- 
edness,  hecausc  it  is  bitter,  because  it  reachctli  into  thine  heart. 

f  James  1:2,3,1.  My  brethren,  count  it  all  yj  when  ye  fall  into 
divers  temptations:  knowing  tiiis,  that  the  trying  cf  your  fai^i 
worketh  patience.  But  lot  patience  have  her  perfect  work,  that 
ye  may  be  perfect  and  onti.e,  wiinting  nothing. 

g  Isa.  27:8,;).  In  measure  wjien  it  sho(/eth  foK",  thou  wilt  de- 
bate with  it;  he  stayeth  his  rougii  wind  i'l  tlv  day  of  his  east 
wind.  By  tiiis  therefore  shall  tlie  iniquity  of  J-cob  be  purged,  and 
this  is  all  the  fruit  to  take  away  his  sin. 

h.  Mai.  3:3.  And  he  (the  messenger  of  tlv '^ovenant)  shall  sit  as 
a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver;  and  he  shalTurify  the  sons  of  Levi, 
and  purge  tlicin  as  gold  and  silver,  that*'''-'}'  "^'^J  o^^r  ""to  the 
Lord  an  otTering  in  righteousness. 

i  Psalm  143:9.  Deliver  me,  O  Lord  ^^om  mine  enemies:  I  flee 
unto  thee  to  hide  me. 

j  2  Cor.  4:16,17.  For  which  cai/«  we  faint  not,  but  thoifgh  our 
outward  man  perish,  yet  the  inward  '"»"  •*  renewed  day  by  day 

19 


206  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART   lU- 

Mine  enemies  that  seek  my  hurt, 
Of  all  their  bad  designs  come  short;*^ 
They  serve  me  fully  to  my  mind. 
With  favors  which  they  ne'er  designed.* 

The  fury  of  my  foes  makes  me 
Fast  to  my  peaceful  refuge  flee;" 
And  ev'ry  persecuting  elf 
Does  make  me  understand  myself." 

Their  slanders  cannot  work  my  shame/ 
Their  vile  reproaches  raise  my  name;!" 

For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding',  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

k  Psalm  33:10.   The  Lord  bringeth  tlie  counsel  of  the  heathen,' 
to  nought :  he  niaketh  tlie  devices  of  the  people  of  none  effect.^ 

!  Gen.  50  '.SO.  And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren — As  for  yoUj 
>)  thought  evil  against  me;  but  God  meant  it  unto  good,  to  bring 
to-jass,  asi  it  is  this  day,  to  save  much  people  alive. 

n.  Psalm  55: 23.  But  thou,  O  God,  shalt  bring  them  down  into 
thCpi4  of  destruction;  bloody  and  deceitful  men  shall  not  live  out 
haluhdr  days;  but  I  will  trust  in  thee, 

n  JlSw  zin,  Isa.  49:24.  Who  gave  Jacob  for  a  spoil,  and  Israel  to' 
the  roUyers?  did  not  the  Lord,  he  against  whom  we  have  sinned"* 
for  they  Vould  not  walk  in  his  ways,  neither  were  they  obedient 
unto  his  ^..  My  duty,  2  Sam..  16:11,12.  And  David  said  to  Abi- 
shai,  and  t6^|}  ]^[^  servants,  Behold  my  son  which  came  forth  of 
my  bowels,  sMjeth  my  life;  how  much  more  now  may  this  Benja- 
mite  do  it;  let\,j^  alone,  and  let  him  curse:  for  the  Lord  hath  bid- 
den him.  It  m!w  ^  ^];^^^  tlje  Lgj-d  will  look  on  mine  affliction,  and 
that  the  Lord  wilfvequite  me  good  for  his  cursing  this  day.  Mic. 
7:8,9.  Rejoice  not  aijrainst  me,  O  mine  enemy:  when  I  fall  I  shall 
arise;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  hght  unto  me. 
I  will  bear  \he  indigr,ation  of  the  liord,  because  I  have  sinned 
against  him,  uitil  he  jilead  my  cause,  and  execute  judgnicnt  for 
me:  he  will  bi-.ng  me  forth  to  the  light,  and  I  shall  behold  his 
righteousness.  My  safety,  Psalm  9:9,10.  The  Lord  also  will  be  a 
retuge  for  the  opjressed,  a  refuge  in  times  of  trouble.  And  they 
that  know  thy  na^g,  will  put  their  trust  in  thee.  Ver.  16.  The 
Lord  IS  known  V  tlr  judgj^g^j.  ^hich  he  executeth:  the  wicked  is 
snared  in  the  work  of^jy  o^^jj  jjj^jj^g      Hijrgaion.    Selah. 

o  Psalm  26:1314.  I-  I  have  heard  th^e  standei- of  manv,  fear 
was  on  every  side,  whik^jgy  ^^^^^  counsel  together  against  me, 
,they  devisea  to  take  ay/ay  .^y  nfe.  But  I  trusted  in  thee,  O  Lordj 
I  said,  1  hou  art  my  God. 

p  1  Peter  4: 14.  If  ye  be  rep^a^ied  for  the  name  of  Christ,  happy 


SECT.  Xin.  THE    BELIEVEH*S    RIDDLE.  2B7 

In  peace  with  Heav'n  my  soul  can  dwell, 
Ev'n  when  the)'  damu  me  down  to  helLi 

Their  fury  can't  the  treaty  harm,'' 
Their  passion  does  my  pity  warm;" 
Their  madness  only  calms  my  blood:* 
By  doing  hurt  they  do  my  good." 

are  ye;  for  the  Spirit  of  glory   and  of  God  resteth  upon  you;  on 
their  part  he  is  evil  spoken  of^  but  od  your  part  he  is  glorified. 

q  Numk  23>7,8.  And  Balaam  took  up  his  parable  and  said,  Ba- 
lak  the  king  of  Moab  hath  brought  me  from  Aram,  out  of  the  moun- 
tains  of  the  east,  saying,  Conic,  curse  me  Jacob,  and  <;onie  defy 
Israel.  How  shall  I  curse  whom  God  hath  not  cursed?  or  how 
shall  I  deSy,  whom  the  Lord  hatii  not  defied^  Ver.  23.  Surely  there 
is  no  encliantraent  against  Jacob,  neitlier  is  tiiere  any  divination 
against  Israel :  according  to  this  time  it  shall  be  said  of  Jacob,  and 
of  Israel,  Wiiat  hath  God  wrought? 

r  Prov.  26:2.  As  the  bird  by  wandering,  as  the  swallow  by  fly- 
ing, so  the  curse  causeless  shall  not  come. 

s  1  Pet  3:8,9.  Finally,  be  ye  all  oi'  one  mind,  having  compas- 
sion one  of  another,  love  as  brethren,  be  piiiful,  be  courteous;  not 
rendering  evil  for  evil,  or  railing  for  nailing;  but  contrariwise, 
blessing:  knowing  that  ye  are  tliereunto  called,  that  }'e  should  in- 
herit a  blessing. 

t  Psalm  6'):12,13.  They  that  sit  in  the  gate  soeak  ag.ainst  me; 
and  I  was  the  song  of  the  drunkards.  But  as  for  me,  my  prayer 
is  unto  thee,  0  Lord,  in  an  acceptable  time:  O  God,  lu  the  multi- 
tude of  thy  mercy  hear  me;  in  the  truth  of  thy  salvation. 

uGen.  50:20. "See  letter  l  forecitcd,  Esther  9:20—25.  And 
Mordecai  wrote  these  things,  and  sent  letters  unto  all  the  Jews 
that  were  in  all  the  provinces  of  the  king  Ahat^uerus,  both  nigh 
and  far,  to  stablish  this  among  them,  that  tiiey  should  keep  the 
fourteenth  day  of  the  month  of  Adar,  and  the  fiftecntli  day  of  the 
.«ame  3'early:  as  the  days  wherein  the  .Tews  rested  Irom  their  ene- 
mies, and  the  month  which  was  turned  unto  tliem  from  sorrow  to 
joy,  and  from  mourning  into  a  good  day;  that  iJiey  should  make 
them  days  of  feasting  and  joy,  and  of  .sending  jwrtions  one  to  an- 
other, and  gifts  to  the  poor.  And  the  Jews  undertook  to  do  as 
they  had  begun,  and  as  Mordecai  liad  written  unto  them.  Be- 
cause Haman  the  son  of  Hammedatha  the  Agagile,  the  enemy  of 
all  the  Jew.s,  had  devised  against  the.TcAvsio  destroy  them,  and 
had  cast  Pur,  (that  is  Uie  lot)  to  consume  them,  and  to  destroy 
them;  but  when  Esther  came  before  the  king,  he  commanded  by 
Jetters,  that  his  wicked  device  which  he  devised  against  the  Jews, 
should  return  upon  his  own  head,  and  tliat  he  ajid  his  sojib  should 
he  banged  on  the  gallows. 


208  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    112. 

They  are  my  sordid  slaves  I  wot; 
My  drudges,  though  they  know  it  not;' 
They  act  to  me  a  kindly  part. 
With  little  kindness  in  their  heart."^ 

They  sweep  my  outer  house  when  foul, 
Yea,  wash  my  inner  filth  of  souh* 

V.  Jer.  25:8,9.  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  Becaasc 
ye  have  not  heard  my  words,  beliold  I  will  send  and  take  all  the 
families  of  the  north,  saith  the  Lord,  and  Nebuchadnezzar  the 
king  of  Bab3rlon,  my  servant,  and  will  bring  them  against  this 
land,  and  against  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  against  all  these  na- 
tions round  about,  and  will  utterly  destroy  them,  and  make  them 
an  astonishment,  and  an  hissing,  and  perpetual  desolations.  Ver.  12> 
And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when  seventy  years  are  accomplished, 
that  I  will  punish  the  king  of  Babylon  and  that  nation,  saith  the 
Lord,  for  their  iniquity,  and  the  land  of  the  Chaldeans,  and  will 
make  it  perpetual  desolations.  Isa.  10:5,6.  O  Assyrian,  the  rod 
of  mine  anger,  and  the  staff  in  their  hand  is  mine  indignation.  I 
will  send  him  against  an  hypocritical  nation;  and  against  the  peo- 
ple of  my  wrath  will  I  give  him  a  charge  to  take  the  spoil,  and  to 
take  the  prey,  and  to  tread  them  down  like  the  mire  of  the  streets. 
Yer.  12.  Wherefore  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  when  the  Lord  hath 
performed  his  whole  work  upon  mount  Zion,  and  on  Jemsalem,  1 
will  punish  the  fruit  of  the  stout  heart  of  the  king  of  Assyria,  and 
the  glory  of  his  high  looks.  And  44:24.28.  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
thy  Redeemer,  and  he  that  formed  thee  frojn  the  womb,  I  am  the 
I/ord — that  saith  of  Cyrus,  he  is  my  shepherd,  and  shall  perform 
all  my  pleasure,  even  saying  to  .Jerusalem,  Thou  shalt  be  builtj 
and  to  the  temple,  Thy  foundutions  shall  be  laid.  And  45:1. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  to  his  anointed,  to  Cyras,  whose  right  hand 
I  have  holden,  to  sub(hie  nations  before  him;  and  I  will  loose  the 
loins  of  kings  to  oi)en  before  him  the  two  leaved  gates,  and  the 
gates  shall  not  be  shut.  Ver.  i.  For  Jacob  my  servant's  sake,  and- 
T-irael  mine  elect,  I  have  even  called  thee  by  thy  name;  I  have 
sirnamed  thee,  though  thou  hast  not  known  me. 

w  Matth.  5:10,11,12.  Blessed  are  tliey  which  are  persecuted  for 
righteousness'  sake;  tor  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed 
are  ye  when  men  shall  revile  you  and  persecute  }'ou,  and  shall 
say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely  for  my  sake.  Rejoice, 
and  be  exceeding  glad:  for  great  is  yoiu-  reward  in  heaven;  for  so 
persecuted  they  the  prophets  which  were  before  yoii.  Luke  6:22, 
23.  Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall  hate  you,  and  when  they  shall 
separate  you  from  their  compan}^  and  shall  reproach  you,  and 
cast  out  your  name  as  evil,  tor  the  Son  of  man's  sake.  Rejoice  ye 
in  that  day,  and  leap  for  joy:  for  behold  your  reward  is  great  in 
heaven;  fur  in  the  like  manner  did  their  fathers  unto  the  prophets. 


Sect.  xtv.  the  beitevek's  KiTUfCE.  209 

They  help  to  purge  away  my  blot, 
For  Moab  is  my  washing  poU^ 


Sdct.  XIV,      The  mystery  of  the  Believer's  pardon  and  security 
from  revenging  wrath,  notwithstanding  Jiis  sins'  desert. 

I  THOUGH  from  condemnation  free, 
Find  such  condemnables  in  me, 
As  make  more  heavy  wrath  my  due 
Than  falls  on  all  the  damned  crew." 

But  though  my  crimes  deserve  the  pit, 
I'm  no  more  liable  to   it: 
'Remission  seaPd  with  blood  and  death. 
Secures  me  from  deserved  wrath."" 

X  Isa.  4:3,4,5.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  he  that  is  left  m 
Zion,  and  he  that  remaineth  in  Jerusalem,  shall  be  called  holy, 
even  every  one  that  is  written  among  the  living  in  Jerusalem; 
when  the  Lord  rliail  have  washed  away  tiie  filth  of  the  daughters 
of  Zion,  and  shall  have  purged  the  blood  of  Jerusalem  from  the 
midst  thereof,  by  the  spirit  of  judgment,  and  by  the  spirit  of  burn- 
ing. And  tire  Lord  will  create  upon  every  dwelling  place  of  mount 
Zion,  and  upon  her  assemblies  a  cloud,  and  smoke  by  Jay,  and  the 
shining  of  a  flaming  fire  by  night;  for  upon  all  the  glory  shall  be 
a  defence.  And  27:9.  By  tliis  therefore  shall  the  iniquity  of  Ja- 
cob be  purged,  aixl  this  is  all  the  fruit  to  take  away  his  sin;  when 
he  maketh  all  the  stones  of  the  altar  as  chalk  stones  that  are  beat- 
en in  sunder,  the  groves  and  images  shall  not  stajid  up. 

y  Psalm  68: 8.  Moab  is  my  wash  pot,  &c. 

a  Rom.  8;L  There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
"which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  alter 
the  Spirit.  And  7:18.  For  I  know  that  in  me,  (that  is,  in  my  f^esh) 
■dwelleth  no  goodthing;  for  to  will  is  present  with  me,  but  how  tt- 
perform  that  which  is  good,  I  find  not.  1  Tim.  h  1.5,16.  This  is  a, 
faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  tliat  Christ  Jesus 
came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners;  of  wliom  I  am  tlie  chief. 
Howbeit,  for  this  cause  I  obtained  mcTcj',  that  in  me  first,  Jesus 
•Christ  might  shew  forth  all  long  sufi'eriiig,  lor  a  pattern  to  them 
which  should  hereafter  believe  on  him  to  life  everlasting. 

b  Gal.  3: 13.  (lirist  haith  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
being  made  a  curse  for  us;  for  it  is  Tvritten,  Cursed  is  every  one 
that  hangeth  on  a  tree.  Rom.  5:9.  Much  more  then  being  now 
justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from  wratli  through  him. 
Eph.  1:  7.  In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the 
forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace. 
18* 


210  GOSPEL   SONNETSr  FART    155- 

And  having  now  a  pardon  free. 
To  hell  obnoxious  cannot  be, 
Nor  to  a  threat^  except   anent* 
Paternal  wrath  and  chastisement," 

My  soul  may  oft  be  filFd  indeed 
With  slavish  fear  and  hellish    dread,"^ 
This  from  my  unbelief  does  spring,*    . 
My  faith  speaks  out  some  better  things 

Faith  sees  no  legal  guilt  again, 
Though  sin  and  its  desert  remain:^'' 
Some  hidden  wonders  hence  result: 
I'm  full  of  sin,  yet  free  of  guilt. s 

*  About. 

c  Thess,  1:10.  And  to  wait  for  his  Son  from  heaven,  whom  he 
raised  from  the  dead,  even  Jesus  which  delivered  us  from  the 
v/rath  to  come.  Isa,  54:9,10.  For  this  is  as  the  waters  of  Noali 
unto  me;  for  as  I  have  sworn  that  the  waters  of  Noah  should  no 
more  go  over  the  earth;  so  have  I  sworn  that  I  would  not  be  wroth 
with  thee,  nor  rebuke  thee.  For  the  mountains  shall  depart,  and 
the  hills  be  removed;  but  my  kindness  sliall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the  Lord, 
that  hath  mercy  on  thee.  Psalm  89:30 — 33.  If  his  children  for- 
sake my  law,  and  walk  not  in  my  judgments^  if  they  break  my 
statutes,  and  keep  not  my  commandmenth-;  then  will  I  visit  their 
transgression  with  the  rod,  and  tlieir  iniquity  m  ith  stripes.  Nev- 
ei'thelcss  my  loving  kindness  will  I  not  utterly  take  from  him,  nor 
suffer  my  faithfulness  to  fail. 

d  Matt.  14:26.  And  when  the  disciples  saw  Jesus  walking  on 
tlic  sea,  they  were  troubled,  saying,  It  is  a  spirit;  and  they  cried 
uiit  for  fear. 

e  Mark  4:40.  And  Jesus  said  unto  his  disciples,  Why  are  ye  bo 
fearful?  how  is  it  that  you  have  no  faith? 

f  Rom.  7:6.  But  now  are  we  delivered  from  the  law,  that  being 
dead  wherein  we  wore  held;  that  we  should  serve  in  newness  of 
spirit,  and  not  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter.  Chapter  8:3,4,  For 
what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  fleshy 
God  sending  liis  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for 
sin,  condemned  sin  in  tlie  flesh;  that  the  righteousness  of  the  law 
might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the 
Spirit. 

g  Rom.  4: 14.  For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual:  but  I  am 
carnal,  sold  under  sin.  Chapter  8:33,34  Who  shall  lay  any  thing 
to  the  charge  of  God's  elect?     It  is  God  that  justifieth,  who  is  he 


SECT.  XIV.  THE  believer's   RIDDLE.  211 

Guilt  is  the  legal  bond  or  knot, 
That  binds  to  wrath  and  vengeance  hot;'' 
But  sin  may  be  where  guilt's  away. 
And  guilt  where  sin  can  never  stay. 

Guilt  without  any  sin  has  been, 
As  in  my  surety  may   be  seen; 
The  elect's  guilt  upon  him  came. 
Yet  still  he  was  tiie  holy  Lamb.' 

Sin  without  guilt  may  likewise  be. 
As  may  appear  in  pardon'd  me: 
For  though  my  sin,  alas!  does  stay. 
Yet  pardon  takes  the  guilt  away:J 

Thus  free  I  am,  yet  still  involv'd; 
A  guilty  sinner  yet    absolv'd:'' 
Though  pardon  leave  no  guilt  behind, 
Yet  sin's  desert   remains  I  find.^ 

thai  condemneth?  It  is  Ciirist  that  died,  yea,  rather,  that  is  risen 
again,  who  is  even  at  the  rig-lit  hand  of  God,  wlio  also  makoth  in- 
tercession for  us. 

h  Deut.  27:26.  Cursed  be  he  that  confirmeth  not  all  the  words 
of  tiie  law  to  do  them:  and  all  the  people  shall  say.  Amen.  Rom, 
1:18.  For  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against  all 
ungodliness,  and  unrighteousness  of  men,  who  hold  the  truth  in 
nnrig-htcousness. 

i  Isa.  .53:6.  The  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  alL 
Heb.  7: 26.  For  sucii  an  higli  priest  became  us,  who  is  holy,  harm- 
less,  undt'filed,  separate  from  sinners.  ' 

j  Roin.  7;  24  O  wretched  man  that  I  am:  who  shall  deliver  me 
from  the  body  of  this  death?  Acts  13:.38,39.  Be  it  known  unto  you 
therefore,  men  and  brelju-en,  tiiat  through  this  man  is  ))reachcd  unto 
you  the  forgiveness  of  sins:  and  by  him  all  that  believe  are  jus- 
tified  from  all  things  from  which  ye  could  not  be  justified  by  the 
law  of  Moses. 

k  Rom.  3: 19.  Now  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the  law 
saith,  it  saith  to  them  who  are  under  the  law:  that  every  mouth 
may  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may  become  guilty  before  God. 
Ver.  23,24.  For  all  have  sinned,  and  co)ne  short  of  the  glory  of  God; 
being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that  is 
in  Jesus  Christ. 

1  Rom.  4:  6,7,8.  Even  as  David  also  dcscribeth  the  blessedness 
of  the  man  unto  whom  God  imputeth  righteousness  without  works, 
saying,  Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are  forgiven,  and  whose 


212  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  III. 

Guilt  and  demerit  differ  here, 
Though  oft  (heir  names  confounded  are, 
I'm  guilty  in  myself  always, 
Since  sin's  demerit  ever  stays." 

Yet  in  my  Head  I'm  always  free 
From  proper  guilt  affecting  me; 
Because  my  Surety's  blood  cancell'd 
The  bond  of  curses  once  me  held." 

The  guilt  that  pardon'd  did  divorce, 
From  legal  threat'nings  drew  its  force:" 
But  sin's  desert  that  lodges  still, 
Is  drawn  from  sin's  intrinsic  ill.? 

Were  guilt  nought  else  but  sin's  desert. 
Of  pardon  I'd  renounce  my  part: 

sins  are  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  will  not 
impute  sin.  Psalm  51:3,4.  For  I  acknowledge  my  transgression; 
and  my  sin  is  ever  before  me.  Against  thee,  thee  only  have  I  sin- 
ned, and  done  this  evil  in  thy  sight:  that  thou  mightest  be  justified 
when  thou  speakest,  and  be  clear  when  thou  judgest.  And  143: 2. 
O  Lord,  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant;  for  in  thy  sight 
can  no  man  living  be  justified. 

m  Rom.  7: 13,14.  Was  then  that  which  is  good,  made  death  un- 
to me?  God  forbid.  But  sin,  that  it  might  appear  sin,  working 
death  in  me  by  that  which  is  good;  that  sin  by  the  commandment 
might  become  exceeding  sinful.  For  we  know  that  the  law  is 
spiritual;  but  I  am  carnal,  sold  under  sin.  Eph.  5:6.  Let  no  man 
deceive  you  with  vain  words;  for  because  of  these  things  cometh 
the  wrath  of  God  upon  the  children  of  disobedience. 

n  Rom.  .5:1.  Therefore  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Ver.  9.  Much  more  then 
being  now  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved  from  wrath 
through  him.  Ver.  11.  And  not  only  so,  but  we  also  joy  in  God, 
througii  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we  liave  now  received 
the  atoiTcment. 

o  Gal.  3:10.  For  as  many  as  are  of  the  works  of  the  law,  are 
under  the  curse;  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one  that  contin- 
ueth  not  in  all  tilings  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to 
do  them.  Ver.  13.  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us;  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every 
one  that  hangeth  on  a  tree. 

p  Psalm  51:4.. See  letter  I  forecited.  Luke  15:18.  I  will  arise 
and  go  to  my  father,  and  will  say  unto  him,  Father,  I  have  sinned 
against  heaven  and  before  thee. 


SBCT.  Xrv.  THE    BELIEVEr's   RIDDLE.  21 S 

For  were  I  now  in  heaven  to  dwell, 
I'd  own  my  sins  deserved  hell.i 

This  does  my  highest  wonder  move 
At  matchless  justifying  love, 
That  thus  secures  from  endless  death 
A  wretch  deserving  double  wrath.'' 

Though  well  my  black  desert  I  know, 
Yet   ['m  not  liable  to  wo; 
While  full  and  complete  righteousness 
Imputed  for  my   freedom  is.* 

q  Luke  15:1!), — And  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son. 
Rev.  5:  4.  And  I  [John]  wept  much,  because  no  man  was  found 
worthy  to  open,  and  to  read  the  book,  neither  to  look  thereon. 
Ver.  9.  And  tliey  sung  a  new  song,  saying,  Thou  art  worthy  to  talce 
the  book,  and  to  open  the  seals  thereof;  for  tliou  wast  slain,  and 
hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  and 
tongue,  and  people,  and  nation.  Ver.  11,12,13.  And  I  beheld,  and 
I  heard  the  voice  of  many  angels  round  tlie  throne,  and  the  beasts, 
and  the  eldeis;  the  number  of  them  was  ten  tlionsand  times  ten 
thousand,  and  tliousands  of  thousands;  saying  with  a  loud  voice. 
Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  power,  and  riches, 
and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing. 
And  every  creature  wliich  is  ia  heaven,  and  on  the  earth,  and  un- 
der tiie  earth,  and  such  as  are  in  tlie  sea,  and  all  that  are  in  them, 
lienrd  1.  saying,  Blessing,  and  lienor,  and  glory,  and  power  b(^  un- 
to him  that  sitleth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  I,amb  for  ever 
and  ever. 

r  Rom.  7:94,95.  O  wretched  man  that  I  am:  who  shall  deliver 
me  from  the  body  of  this  death?  1  thank  God,  throngii  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  Chap.  8:1.  There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to 
tJiem  which  are  in  Ghrist  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but 
after  the  Sjiirit.  1  Tim.  1:13.  Wlio  v.-as  before  a  blasplienier,  and 
a  persecutor,  and  injurious.  But  I  obtaimd  mere}',  because  I  did 
it  ignorantly,  in  unl)e!icf.  Ver.  15,1^,17.  This  is  a  faithful  sayings 
and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  tliat  Christ  Jesus  en  me  into  the  world 
to  save  sinners;  of  wliom  I  am  the  chief.  Ilowbeit,  for  this  cause 
I  obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first  Jesus  Christ  might  shew  forth 
all  long-sufFering,  for  a  pattern  to  them  which  should  hereafter 
believe  on  hiw»  to  life  everlasting.  Now  unto  the  King  eternal, 
•  immortal,  invisible,  the  only  wise  God,  be  honor,  and  glory,  for 
ever  and  over.     Amen. 

s  1  Cor.  1:30  But  of  him  are  yc  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is 
made  unto  us — rigliteousness — and  rcdemi)tion.  2  Cor.  5:21.  God 
hath  made  Christ  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  uo  sin;  tliat  we  might 


SI 4     "  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PAHT   III. 

Hence  my  security  from   wrath 
As  firmly  stands  on  Jesus'  death,* 
As  does  my  title  unto  heaven 
Upon  his  great  obedience  given." 

The  sentence  Heaven  did  full  pronounce, 
Has  pardon'd  all  my  sins  at  once: 
And  even  from  future  crimes  acquit. 
Before  I  could  the  facts  commit.^ 

I'm  always  in  a  pardon'd  state 
Before  and  after  siji;*  but  yet, 

be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.  Rom.  4:11.  And  he 
[Abraham]  received  the  sign  of  circumcision,  a  seal  of  tlie  righte- 
ousness of  the  faith,  which  he  had  yet  being  uncircumcised:  that 
he  might  be  the  fatlicr  of  all  tliem  that  heheve,  though  they  be  not 
circumcised;  that  righteousness  might  be  imputed  unto  them  also. 
Ver.  22 — 25.  And  therefore  it  was  imputed  to  him  for  righteous- 
ness. Now  it  was  not  written  for  his  sake  alone,  that  it  was  im- 
puted to  him;  but  for  us  also,  to  whom  it  shall  be  imputed,  if  we  be- 
lieve on  hhn  that  raised  up  Jesus  oiu-  Lord  from  the  dead,  who 
was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  was  raised  again  for  our  justi- 
fication. 

t  Rom.  5:9.  Much  more  then,  being  now  justified  by  his  blood, 
we  shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him. 

u  Rom.  5:17,18,19. — They  which  receive  abundance  of  grace, 
and  of  the  gift  of  righteousness,  shall  reign  in  life  by  one,  Jesus 
Christ. — By  the  righteousness  of  one,  the  free  gift  came  upon  all 
men  unto  justification  of  life. — By  the  obedience  of  one  shall  many 
be  made  righteous.  Ver.  21.  Grace  reigns  through  righteousness 
unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

V  Psalm  103:3.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, — who  forgiveth  all 
thine  iniquities;  who  healcth  all  thy  diseases.  2  Cor.  5:19.  God 
was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing 
their  trespasses  unto  them.  Ver.  21.  See  letter  s  forecited.  Dan. 
9:24.  Seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy  people,  and  upon 
thy  holy  city,  to  finish  the  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end  of 
sins,  and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  bring  in  ever- 
lasting righteousness.  Isa.  54:10.  For  the  mountains  shall  depart, 
and  the  hills  be  removed,  but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from 
thee,  neither  sliall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the 
Lord,  that  hath  mercy  on  thee.  Heb.  8: 12.  For  I  will  be  merci- 
ftil  to  their  unrighteousness,  and  their  sins  and  their  iniquities 
will  I  remember  no  more. 

w  Rom  8:1.  There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after 
the  Spirit    Ver.  33,34,35.37,38,39.    Who  shaU  say  any  thing  to 


SECT.   XIV.  THE   believer's    RIDDLE.  -     215 

That  vainly  I  presume  not  hence, 
I'm  seldom  pardon'd  to  my  sense. ^ 

Sin  brings  a  venge.ance  on  my  head, 
Though  from  avenging  wrath  I'm  freed.*" 
And  though  my  sins  all  pardon'd  be, 
Their  pardon  's  not  applied  to  me.».' 

Thus  though  I  need  no  pardon  more, 
Yet  need  new  pardons  every  hour,* 
In  point  of  application  free; 
Lord,  wash  anew,  and  pardon  me. 

the  cliarge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God  that  justifieth:  who  is  he  that 
condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again, 
who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  interces- 
sion for  us.  Wlio  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Clirist,  shall 
tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or 
peril,  or  the  swordV  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  arc  more  than 
conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded,  that 
neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers, 
nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor 
any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

X  Psalm.  2.5:11.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  ini- 
quity; for  it  is  great.  And  51:8,9.  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and 
gladness:  that  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice.  Hide 
thy  face  from  my  sins;  and  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities.  Ver.  12. 
Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation;  and  uphold  me  with  thy 
free  spirit. 

y  Psalm  99:8.  Thou  answeredst  them,  O  Lord  our  God:  thon 
wast  a  God  that  forgavest  them,  though  thou  tookest  vengeance  of 
their  inventions.  1  Thess.  1:10.  And  to  wait  for  his  Son  from 
heaven,  whom  he  raised  from  the  dead,  even  Jesus,  which  deliver- 
ed us  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

z  Psalm  35r.3.  O  Lord,  say  unto  my  soul,  I  am  thy  salvation. 
And  85:  8.  I  will  hear  what  God  the  Lord  will  s;>eak;  for  he  will 
speak  peace  unto  his  people,  and  to  his  saints;  but  let  them  not 
turn  again  to  folly.  Matth.  9:2.  And  behold  they  brought  to  him  a 
man  sick  of  the  ))alsy,  lying  on  a  bed:  and  Jesus  seeing  their  faith, 
said  unto  the  sick  of  the  palsy,  Son  be  of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  be 
forgiven  thee. 

*  Matth.  6:12.  And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debt. 
ors.  1  John  1:  7,8.  If  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  God  is  in  the  light, 
we  have  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  If  we  say,  that  we  have  no  sin, 
w«  deceive  ourselves,  and  \he  truth  is  not  in  us. 


216  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART    til. 

Srct.  XV.      The  mystery  of  Faith  and  Sight,  of  which  more, 
Part  vi.  Chap.  vi. 

Strange  contradictions  me  befal, 

I  can'l   believe  unless  I  see;^ 
Yet  never  can  believe  at  all, 

Till  once  I  shut  the  seeing  eye."" 

When  sight  of  sweet  experience 

Can  give  my  faith  no  helping  hand," 

The  sight  of  sound  intelligence 

Will  give    it  ample  ground  to  stand.'' 

I  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight,<= 

Yet  knowledge  does  my   faith  resound/ 

Which  cannot  walk   but  in  the  light,^ 
Ev'n  when   experience  runs  aground.'' 

a  John  6:40.  And  this  is  the  will  of  hiin  that  sent  me,  that  every 
one  which  sceth  tlie  Son,  and  believetli  on  him,  may  liave  everlast- 
ing life 

b  John  20:29.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Thomas,  because  thou  hast 
seen  me,  thou  hast  believed:  blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen, 
and  yet  have  believed. 

c  Isa.  8:17.  And  1  will  wait  upon  the  Lord  that  hideth  his  face 
from  the  house  of  Jacob,  and  I  will  look  for  him.  Chap.  50: 10. 
Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obcyeth  the  voice  of 
his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and  hath  no  light?  let  him 
trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God. 

d  Eph.  1:L5 — 19.  Wherefore  I  also,  after  I  heard  of  your  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  love  unto  all  the  saints,  cease  not  to  give 
thanks  for  you,  making  mention  of  you  in  my  prayers;  that  the 
God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  glory,  may  give  unto 
you  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation,  in  the  knowledge  of  him; 
the  eyes  of  your  understanding  being  enlightened;  that  ye  may 
know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the 
glory  of  his  inb.eritance  in  the  saints,  and  what  is  the  exceeding 
greatness  of  his  power  to  us-ward  vviio  believe,  according  to  the 
working  of  his  mighty  power,  &.c.  2  Cor.  4:6.  For  God  who 
commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  in  our 
hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

e  2  Cor.  5:  7.  For  we  walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight. 

fJohn  2:11.  This  beginning  of  miracles,  did  Jesus  in  Cana  of 
Galilee,  and  manifested  fortli  his  glory;  and  his  disciples  believed 
on  him. 

g  Psalm  9:10.  And  they  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust 
in  thee. 

h  Psalm  37:14.  Wait  on  the  Lord,  be  of  good  courage,  and  he 
shall  strengthen  thine  heart;  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord. 


SECT.  XV.  THE    BELIEVER's    RIDDLE.  217 

By  knowledge  I  discern  and  spy- 
In  divine   ligiit  the  object  shown;' 

By  faith  1  take  and  close  apply 
The  glorious  object  as  mine  own.^ 

My  faith  thus  stands  on  divine  light, 

Believing  what  it  clearly  sees;' 
Yet  faith  is  opposite  to  sight. 

Trusting  its  ear,  and  not  its  eyes." 

Faith  list'ning  to  a  sweet  report, 

Still  comes  by  hearing,  not  by  sight;" 

Yet   is  not  faith  of  saving  sort, 
But  when  it  sees  in  divine  light.* 

In  fears  I  spend  my  vital  breath, 

In  doubts  I  waste  my  passing  years;^ 

Yet  still  the  life  I  live  is  faith. 
The  opposite  of  doubts  and  fears.* 

i  2  Cor.  3: 18.  But  we  all  with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
lite  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glo- 
ry to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

k  John  1: 12.  But  as  many  as  received  him,  to  tliem  gave  he 
power  to  become  the  sons  ol'God,  even  to  tliem  tliat  believe  ou  his 
name. 

I  Gal.  1:16.  But  when  it  pleased  God — to  reveal  his  Son  in  me, 
that  1  might  j)rcach  him  among  the  Heathen;  iinmediately  I  con- 
ferred not  with  flesh  and  blood. 

m  Eph.  1: 1.3.  In  Christ  ye  also  ti-iisted  after  that  ye  heard  the 
word  of  truth,  the  gospel  ol'your  salvation. 

u  Rom.  10  17.  So  then,  faith  cometli  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by 
the  word  of  God. 

o  Psahn  3G:7.  How  excellent  is  thy  loving  kindness,  O  God! 
therefore  tlie  children  of  men  put  their  trust  under  the  shadow  of 
til}'  wings.  Ver.  ').  For  with  tliee  is  the  Ibuntain  of  life;  in  ihy 
light  shall  we  sc(^  light. 

p  Psalm  77:3,4.  I  remembered  God,  and  was  troubled:  loom- 
plained,  and  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed.  Sclah.  Thou  boldest 
mine  eyes  waking;  I  am  so  troubled  that  I  cannot  speak.  John 
20:2.').  But  Thomas  said  unto  the  other  disciples,  Except  I  shall 
see  in  his  hands  the  print  of  the  nails,  and  put  my  finger  into  the 
print  of  the  nails,  and  thrust  my  hand  into  his  side,  I  will  not  bc- 
iive.  Luke  21:21.  We  trusted  that  it  had  been  he  which  should 
have  redeemed  Israel. 

q  Gal.  2:20.  I  am  crucified  with  Christ:  Nevertheless  I  live;  yet 

not  I,  btit  Christ  liveth  in  mc :  and  the  life  whicli  I  now  live  in  the 

flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and  gave 

himself  for  me.     Mark  5:36.  As  soon  as  Jesus  hearu  tlie  word  that 

19 


21  ft  GOSPEL   SONNETS,  PART   IJI^ 

'Tween  clearing  faith  and  clouding  sense, 

I  walk  in  darkness  and  in   light.'' 
I'm  certain  oft,  when  in  suspense, 

While  sure  by  faith  and  .not  by  sight.* 

Sect,  xvi.    Tlie  mystery  of  Faith  and  Works,  and  rewards  ofGrase 
and  Debt. 

I.    OF   FAITH    AND    WORKS. 

'   He  that  in  word  offendeth  not, 
Is  call'd  a  perfect  man  I  wot;" 
Yet  he  whose  thoughts  and  deeds  are  bad,- 
The  law  perfection  never  had.** 

I  am  design'd  a  perfect  soul, 

Ev'n  though  I  never  kept  the  whole 

was  spoken,  he  saith  i\nto  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue^Be  not  afraid, 
only  believe.  Matth.  8:26,  And  Jesus  saith  unto  his  disciples. 
Why  are  ye  so  learlul,  O  ye  of  little  faith?  Chap.  14:31.  And  Je- 
sus said  unlo  Peter,  O  tliou  of  little  faith,  wherefore  didst  thou 
doubt 1 

r  Job  29: 1,2,3.  Moreover,  Job  continued  his  parable,  and  said. 
Oh  thnt  I  were  as  in  months  past,  as  in  the  days  when  God  pre- 
served me:  when  his  candle  shined  upon  my  head,  and  when  by 
his  light  I  walked  through  darkness.  Psahn  112:4.  Unto  the  up- 
right there  ariseth  liglit  in  the  darkness. 

si  Pet.  1:8.  Whom  liaving  not  seen,  ye  love;  in  whom  though 
now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable, 
and  full  of  glory.  Rom.  4:18 — 21.  Abraham  against  liope,  believ- 
ed in  hope,  that  he  might  become  \hc  father  of  many  nations;  ac- 
cording to  that  which  was  spoken,  So  shall  thy  seed  be.  And  be^ 
ing  not  weak  in  faith,  he  consfdercd  not  his  own  body  now  dead, 
when  ho  was  about  an  hundred  years  old,  neither  yet  the  deadness 
of  Sarah's  womb.  He  staggered  not  at  the  promise  of  God  through 
unboliet';  but  was  strong  in  faith,  giving  glory  to  God;  and  being 
fully  persuaded,  that  what  he  had  promised,  he  was  ai)Ie  also  to 
perform-  Psahn  89:36 — 3!).  His  seed  shall  endure  for  ever,  and 
his  throne  as  the  sun  before  me.  It  shall  be  established  forever  a» 
the  moon,  and  as  a  faithful  witness  in  heaven.  .Selaii.  But  thou 
haat  cast  ofi"  and  abhorred,  thou  hast  been  wroth  with  thine  an- 
ointed. Thou  hast  made  void  the  covenant  of  thy  servant;  tiiou 
hast  profaned  his  crown,  by  casting  it  to  the  ground. 

a  James  3:2.  If  any  man  offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  per- 
fect man,  and  able  also  to  bridle  the  whole  body. 

b  James  2:10.  For  whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  taw,  and  yet 
offend  ia  one  point,  he  is  guilty  of  all. 


SECT.  XVI.  THE    BELIEVER'*S    RIDDLE.  21© 

Nor  any  precept;"  for  'tis  known 

He  breaks  them  all,  that  breaks  but  one/ 

By  faith  I  do  perf«cti^n  claim,* 
By   works  I  never  grasp  the  name:' 
Yet  without  works  my  foith  is  nought,* 
And  thereby  no  perfection  brought. 

Works  without  faith  will  never  speed.* 
Faith  without  works  is  wholly    dead;' 
Yet  I  am  justifi'd  by   faith, 
Which  no  law  works  adjutant  hath.J 

c  Rom.  4:5,6.  To  hitn  tliat  vorkcfli  not^  but  bclieveth  on  him 
thatjuHtifieth  the  uno;odly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  righteo-asness. 
Even  as  David  also  dcscribeth  the  blessedness  of  the  man  unto 
whom  God  iniputeth  riirhteousness  without  works.  Job  1:  1.  There 
was  a  man  in  the  land  of  Uz,  whose  name  was  Job,  and  that  man 
was  perfect  and  uprifjht,  and  one  that  feared  God,  and  eschewed 
evil.  Psalm  71:16.  I  will  ^o  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God;  I 
will  make  mention  of  thy  righteousness,  even  of  tliine  only.  Eccl, 
7: 20.  For  there  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth  good,  and 
sinneth  not. 

d  James  9:10:    See  letter  b. 

e  Pliil.  3:  9.  I  count  aU  things  but  dung,  that  I  may  wm  Christ, 
and  be  found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own  righteousness,  which  is 
©f  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righ- 
teousness which  is  of  (ilod  by  faith. 

f  Gal.  2:16.  Knowing  that  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the  works  of 
the  law,  but  by  t  he  faith  of  Jesus  Christ;  even  we  have  believed  in 
Jesus  Christ;  that  we  might  be  justitied  by  the  faith  oiX^hrist,  and 
not  by  the  works  of  the  law;  for  by  the  works  of  the  lav?  shall  no 
ficsh  be  justified. 

g  James  2:14.  What  doth  it  profit,  mj' brethren,  though  a  man 
say  he  hath  faith,  and  have  not  works?  can  faith  save  him  ? 

h  Heb.  11:6.  V/ithout  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God:  for  he 
that  Cometh  to  God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  reward- 
cr  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him.  Rom.  24:23.  Whatsoever  is 
not  of  faitli,  is  sin. 

i  James  2: 17.  Even  so  faith,  if  it  hath  not  works,  is  dead  being 
alone.  Ver.  26.  For  as  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith 
without  works  is  dead  also. 

j  Rom.  3:21,22.  But  now  the  righteousness  of  God  without  the 
law  is  manifested,  being  witB.essed  by  th(!  law  aud  the  pj'ophets; 
even  the  righteousness  of  God  which  is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ 
unto  all,  and  upon  all  tiiem  that  believe;  for  there  is  no  diifercnce. 
Chap.  4:4,5,6.  Now  to  him  that  worketh,  is  the  reward  not  reckon- 
ed of  grace,  bat  of  debt.     But  to  hiiu  that  worketli  not,  but  btliev- 


220  «ospEL  soynzTs.  pakt  hi. 

Yea,  Gospel  works  no  help  can  fend,*^ 
Though  still  they  do  my  faith  attend:' 
Yet  faith  by  works  is  perfect  made, 
And  by  their  presence  justifi'd." 

But  works  with  faith  could  i>ever  vie, 
And  only  faith  can  justify:" 

eth  on  him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  Ti«;h- 
teousness.  Even  as  David  also  describeth  the  blessedness  of  the 
man  unto  whom  God  imputeth  riohteousness  witliout  works. 

k  Phil.  3:  4 — 9.  If  any  other  man  thinketh  th^t  he  liatli  whereof 
he  might  trust  in  the  flesh,  I  more: — touching  the  righteousness 
which  is  in  the  law,  blameless.  But  what  things  were  gain  to  nie^ 
those  I  counted  loss  lor  Ciirist.  Yea  doubtiess,  and  I  count  all 
things  but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  ofC'hrist  Je- 
sus my  Lord:  for  whom  I  liave  suffered  the  loss  ot  a>l  tilings,  and 
do  count  them  but  dung,  that  I  may  win  (Jhrist,  and  be  found  in 
him,  not  having  mine  own  righteousness,  whicii  is  of  the  law,  but 
that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  rigliteousness  wJiich 
is  of  God  by  faith.  Isa.  64:6.  But  we  are  all  as  an  unclean  thing,. 
and  all  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filtliy  rags.  Hos.  13:9.  O  Isra- 
el, thou  hast  destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is  thine  help.  Isa.  45: 
24,25.  Surely,  shall  one  say,  in  the  I^ord  have  I  rigiileoasness  and- 
strength :  even  to  him  shall  men  come,  and  all  that  are  incensed 
against  him  shall  be  ashamed.  In  tlie  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of 
Israel  be  justified,  and  sliall  glory. 

1  Tit.  3:8.  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  tliese  things  I  will  that 
thou  affirm  constantly,  that  they  which  have  believed  in  God  might 
be  careful  to  maintain  good  works:  these  things  are  good  and  pro- 
fitable unto  men.  James  2:18.  Y<^a,  a  man  may  say,  Thou  hast 
faith,  and  I  have  vi'^orks;  show  me  thy  taith  without  thy  works  and 
i  will  show  thee  my  faith  by  my  works. 

m  James  2:21,22.  Was  not  Abraham  our  father  justified  by 
works,  when  he  had  offered  Isaac  his  son  upon  the  altar?  Seest 
tliou  how  faith  wrought  with  his  works,  and  by  works  was  faith 
made  jwsrfect?  Ver.  24.  Ye  see  tljen  how  tliat  by  works  a  man  is 
justified,  and  not  by  faith  only. 

n  Rom.  4:16.  Therefore  it  is  of  faith,  that  it  miglit  be  hy  grace;- 
to  the  end  tlje  promise  might  be  sure  to  all  the  seed.  Titus  3: 
4 — 7.  But  after  that  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  oar  Saviour  to- 
ward man  appeared,  not  by  warksof  righteousness,  which  we  have 
done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us  by  the  washing  of 
regeneration,  and  renewing  oftlie  Holy  Ghost:  which  he  shed  on 
us  abundantly,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour;  that  being  justi- 
tied  by  his  grace,  we  should  be  made  heirs  aceording  to  the  hope 
of  eternal  life.  Acts  10:4.3.  To  him  gave  all  tlie  prophets  witness^ 
that  through  his  name,  whosoever  believeth  on  him,  shall  receive 
rernission  of  sins. 


«BCT.   XVI.  THE    believer's   KIBBLE,  221 

Yet  still  my  justifying  faith; 
No  justifying  value  hath," 

Lo,  justifying  grac«  from  heav'n 
Is  foreign  ware,  and  freely  giv'nKf 
And  saving  faith  is  well  content 
To  be  a  mere  recipient.* 

Faith 's  active  in  my  sanctity:' 
But  here  its  act  it  will  deny,« 
And  frankly  own  it  never  went 
Beyond  a  passive  instrument,* 

o  Gal,  3;21,22.  Is  the  law  then  against  the  promises  of  God' 
God  forbid:  for  if  there  had  been  a  law  given  which  could  have 
given  life,  verily  righteousnuss  should  have  been  by  tlie  law.  But 
the  scripture  hath  concluded  all  under  sin,  that  the  promise  h)'  faith 
of  Jesus  Christ  may  be-given  to  tjiem  that  believe.  Lake  22:31, 
32.  And  the  Lord  said,  Simon,  Simon,  behold,  Satan  hath  desired 
to  have  j'ou,  that  he  may  sift  you  as  wheat,  but  I  have  prayed  for 
thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not;  and  when  thou  art  converted,  strengtlu 
en  thy  bretliren.  2  Cor.  3:5.  Not  that  we  are  sufncient  of  our- 
selves, to  think  any  thing  of  ourselves;  but  our  sufficiency  is  of 
God.  Chap.  12:.5.  Of  such  an  one  will  I  glory;  yet  of  myself  I  will 
3iot  glory,  but  in  mine  infirmities, 

p  Rom.  5: 16,17.  The  free  gift  is  of  many  oftences  unto  justifica- 
tion. They  which  receive  abundance  of  grace,  and  of  the  gift  of 
righteousness,  shall  reign  in  life  by  one,  Jesus  Christ.  Chap  3:24 
Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  fiiat  is 
jn  Jesus  Christ. 

q  Rom.  5:11,  And  net  only  so,  but  wc  also  joy  in  God,  tJirough 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we  have  now  received  the  atone- 
ment.    Ver.  17.  See  letter  jj. 

r  Gal.  5:6.  For  in  Jesus  Christ,  neither  circumcision  availeth  any 
thing,  nor  uncircumcision,  but  faith  which  worketh  by  love.  Actg 
15:9.  ^od  put  no  diiferencc  between  us  and  them,  purifying  their 
hearts  by  faith.  Chap,  20:18.  To  open  tlieir  eyes,  and  to  turn 
them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God,  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance 
among  them  which  arc  sanctified  by  faith  tliat  is  in  me. 

«* Rom.  4:16.  Therefore  it  is  of  i'aith,  that  M  might  be  by  grace. 
Chap.  11:6.  And  if  by  grace,  then  it  is  no  more  of  works;  other- 
wise grace  is  no  more  grace. 

t  Eph.  2:8,9.  For  by  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith;  and  that 
not  of  yonl-sclves:  it  is  the  gift  of  God:  not  of  works;  lest  any  man 
should  boast.  1  Cor.  4:7.  For  who  niakeih  thee  to  ditier  from 
another?  a&d  what  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  receive?  now  il 
thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory  as  if  tliou  hadst  not  re- 
19* 


223  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  I11» 

I  iabor  much  like  holy  Paul; 

And  yet  not  I,  but  grace  does  all,'"^ 

1  try   to  spread   my  little  sails. 

And  wait  for  pow'rful  moving  gales.' 

When  pow'r's  convey'd,  I  work;  but  see> 
'Tis  still  his  pow'r  that  works  in  me. 
!  am  an  agent  at  his  call, 
Yet  nothing  am,  for  grace  is  alL" 

II.    OF    REWARDS     OF     GRACE     AND     DEBT.r 

In  all  my  works  I  still  regard 
The  recotnpense  of  full  reward;^ 

ceived  it?  Heb.  11:11.  Through  faith  also  Sarah  herself  received 
strength  to  conceive  seed,  and  was  delivered  of  a  child  when  she 
was  past  age,  because  she  judged  him  faithful  who  liad  promised* 
Ver.  17.  By  faith  Abraham,  when  he  was  triedy  offered  up  Isaa^ 
and  he  that  had  received  the  promises,  otfered  up  his  only  begotten 
Son.  Ver.  19.  Accounting  that  God  was  able  to  raise  him  up^ 
even  from  the  dead;  from  whence  also  he  received  him  in  a  figure. 
Ver.  35.  Women  received  their  dead  raised  to  life  again;  and 
others  ware  tortured,  not  accepting  deliverance;  that  they  might 
obtain  a  better  resurrection. 

u  1  Cor.  15:10.  But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am:  and  his 
grace  which  was  bestowed  upon  me,  was  not  in  vain;  hut  I  labored 
more  abundantly  than  they  all;  yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God 
which  was  with  me. 

v  Psalm  71:16.  1  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God:  I  will 
make  mention  of  thy  righteousness,  even  of  thine  only.  Song  4:16. 
Awake,  O  north  wind,  and  come,  thou  south,  blow  upon  my  garden, 
that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out. 

w  Phil.  3:12,13.  Wherefore,  my  beloved,  as  ye  have  always 
obeyed,  not  as  in  my  presence  only,  but  now  much  more  in  my 
absence;  work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling. 
For  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  do  ol'his  good 
pleasure.  Gal.  2:2().  I  am  crucified  with  Christ:  Nevertheless  I 
live;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me;  and  the  life  wliicii  I  now 
live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  fiith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved 
me,  and  gave  hirnseli"  for  me.  2  Cor.  12: 9.  And  the  Lord  said  un- 
to me.  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee;  for  my  strength  is  made 
perlect  in  weakness.  Most  gladly,  therefore,  will  I  rather  glory  in 
my  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me. 

X  Heb.  11:24,2.5,26.  By  faith  Mose;;,  when  he  was  come  to  years, 
refused  to  be  called  the  son  of  Pharrt'ih's  daughter;  choosing r.ither 
to  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  plea- 


SECT.  XVI.  TUE  believer's   RIDDLE.  22S 

Yet  such  rny  working  is  withal, 
I  look  for  no  reward  at  all.' 

God's  my  reward  exceeding  great, 
No  lesser  heav'n  than  this  I  wait;* 
But  Where's  the  earning  work  so  broad. 
To  set  me  up  an  heir  of  Godl" 

Rewards  of  debt,  rewards  of  grace, 
Are  opposites  in  every  case;'' 
Yet  sure  I  am  they'll   both  agree 
Most  jointly  in  rewarding  me.= 

Though  hell's  my  just  reward  for  sin* 
Heav'n  as  my  just  reward  I'll  win,* 

sure  ofsin  for  a  season;  estoemingf  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater 
riches  than  the  treasures  in  Egypt;  for  he  iiad  respect  unto  tlie  re- 
Compense  of  the  reward. 

y  1  Tim.  1:9.  God  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy 
calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but  according  to  his  own  pur- 
pose and  grace  whicli  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus,  before  the 
world  began.  Titus  3:5.  Not  by  works  of  righteousness,  which 
we  have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us  by  the  wash- 
ing of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

z  Gen.  15:1.  After  these  things  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto 
Abram  in  a  vision,  saying,  Fear  not,  Abram;  I  am  thy  shield,  an^ 
thy  exceeding  great  reward.  Psaira  73: 25,26.  Whom  have  I  in 
heaven  but  thee?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside 
thee.  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth;  but  God  is  the  strength  of 
my  heart,  and  my  portion  for  over. 

a  Ezf  k.  36:32.  Not  for  your  sakcs  do  I  this,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
be  it  known  unto  you;  be  ashamed  and  confounded  for  your  own 
ways,  O  house  of  Israel.  Rom.  8: 16,17.  The  Spirit  itself  bearetli 
witness  with  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the  cliildren  of  God.  And  if 
children,  then  heirs:  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ. 

b  Rom.  4: 4.  Now  to  him  that  worketh,  is  the  reward  not  reck- 
oned of  grace,  but  of  debt. 

c  Psalm  58:11.  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous;  verily 
he  is  a  God  that  judgcth  in  the  earth.  Isa.  ^2:11.  Behold  the  Lord 
hath  procluimod  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Say  ye  to  the  daughter 
of  Zion,  Behold,  thy  salvation  cometh;  behold,  his  reward  is  with 
him,  and  his  work  before  him. 

d  Rom.  6:21.  What  fruit  had  ye  then  in  those  things,  whereof 
ye  are  now  ashamed?  for  the  end  of  those  things  is  death.  Ver.  23. 
The  wages  of  sin  is  death.  Eph.  5:6.  Let  no  man  deceive  you 
with  vain  words;  for  because  of  these  things  cometh  the  wrath  of 


224  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  HI. 

Both  these  my  just  rewards  I  know, 
Yet  truly  neither  of  them  so.* 

Hell  can't  in  justice  be  my  lot, 
Since  justice  satisfaction  got;'' 
Nor  heaven  in  justice   be  my  share, 
Since  mercy  only  brings  me  there. s 

Yet  heaven  is  mine  by  solemn  oath, 
In  justice  and  in  mercy  both:'' 

God  upon  the  children  of  disobedience.  Gal.  .3:10.  For  as  many 
as  .arc  of  the  works  of  the  law,  are  under  the  curse;  for  it  is  writ- 
ten, Cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  which 
are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them. 

e  Gal.  .3: 13,14.  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  tlie  curse  of  the 
law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us;  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every 
one  that  hangeth  on  a  tree;  that  the  blessing  of  Abraham  might 
come  upon  the  Gentiles  through  Christ;  that  we  might  receive  the 
promise  of  the  Spirit  through  faith.  Eph.  1:13,14.  In  Christ  also 
aflcr  that  ye  believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  that  holy  Spirit  of  pro- 
mise,  which  is  the  earnest  of  our  inheritance  until  the  redemption 
of  the  purchased  possession,  unte  the  praise  of  his  glory.  Rom.  5  : 
21.  Grace  reigns  througji  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  And  6:23.  The  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

*  Through  the.se  opposite  voices  of  law  and  gospel. 

'f  Rom.  3:25,  2G.  Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation, 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for  the  re- 
mission of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance  of  God;  to 
declare,  I  say,  at  this  time  his  righteousness,  that  he  might  be  just, 
and  the  justifier  of  him  which  believeth  in  .Tesus. 

g  Rom.  9:15,16.  God  saith  to  Moses,  I  will  have  mercy  on  whom 
I  will  have  mercy,  and  I  will  have  compassion  on  whom  I  will 
have  compassion.  So  then  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him 
that  runneth;  but  of  God  that  sheweth  mercy.  Tit.  3:4 — 7.  But  af- 
ter that  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour  toward  man  ap- 
peared, not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but  ac- 
cording to  his  mercy  he  saved  us  by  the  washing  of  regeneration, 
and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  which  he  shed  on  us  abundantly 
through  Jesus  Cliristour  Saviour;  that  being  justified  by  his  grace, 
we  should  be  made  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life. 

h  Psalm  89:35,36.  Once  have  1  sworn  by  my  holiness,  that  I 
will  not  lie  unto  David.  His  seed  shall  endure  for  ever,  and  his 
throne  as  the  sun  before  me.  Heb.  6:17,18.  Wherein  God  willing 
more  abundantly  to  shew  unto  the  heirs  of  promise  the  immutability 
of  his  covmsel,  confirmed  it  b}'  an  oath;  that  by  two  immutable 
things,  in  which  it  was  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  a 


SECT.  XVI.  THE    BELIEVEr's    RIDDLE.  22^ 

And  God  in  Christ  is  all  my  tiu«t, 
Because  he's  merciful  and  just.' 


CONCLUSION. 

Here  is  the  riddle,  where's  the  man 

Of  judgment  to  expound? 
For  masters  fam'd  that  cannot  scan, 

In   Israel  may  be  found.'* 

We  justly  those  in  wisdom's  list 

Established  saints  may  call, 
Whose  bitter  sweet  experience  blest 

Can  clearly   grasp  it  iiU.'' 

Some  babes  in  grace  may  mint*  and  mar, 
Yet  aiming  right  succeed:'^ 

strong  consolation,  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the 
hope  set  before  us.  Psahii  89: 14.  Justice  and  jndg-nient  are  the 
habitation  of  thy  throne;  mercy  and  truth  sliall  go  before  thy  face. 
Ver.  16.  In  thy  name  sliall  they  rejoice  all  the  day;  and  in  thy 
righteousness  shall  they  be  exalted.  Ver.  24.  But  my  faillilulness 
and  my  mercy  shall  be  witliin  him  [David  my  servant]  and  in  thy 
name  shall  his  liorn  be  exalted.  Ver.  28.  My  mercy  will  I  keep 
for  him  for  evernicre,  and  my  covenant  shall  stand  fast  with  bim. 

i  Heb.  2:17.  Wherefore  in  all  things  it  behoved  him  to  be  made 
like  unto  his  brethren;  that  he  might  be  a  merciful  and  faitliiul 
high  priest,  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  to  make  reconciliation  for 
the  sins  of  the  people.  1  John  1:  6.8,9.  If  we  wallc  in  the  liyht,  as 
God  is  in  the  light,  we  have  iellowship  one  with  another,  and  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Clirist  the  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  If  we  say 
that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in 
us.  It' we  confess  our  sins  ho  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our 
sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrigiitcousnes.-. 

a  John  3: 10.  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  Nicodemus,  Art 
thou  a  master  of  Israel,  and  knowest  not  these  things?  v 

b  Matth.  11:25.  At  that  time  Jesus  answered  and  said,  T  thank 
thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  because  thou  hast  bid 
these  things  from  the  v;ise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them 
unto  biibes.  And  13:11.  J^^us  an.nveied  ^^i  !  s:»d  unto  'i<s  disci- 
ples, Because  it  is  given  unto  you  to  know  the  mysteries  of  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  but  to  them  it  is  not  given. 

*  Essay. 

c  I  Cor,  3:1,2.  And  I,  brethren,   could   not  speak   unto  you  as 


iJ26  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  III. 

But  strangers  they  in  Israel  are, 
Who  not  at  all  can  read."* 

unto  spiritual,  but  as  unto  carnal,  even  as  unto  babes  in  Christ, 
have  fed  you  with  milk,  and  not  with  meat;  for  hitherto  ye  were 
not  able  to  bear  it,  neither  yet  now  are  ye  able.  Heb.  5: 12;13,14. 
For  wlien  ibr  the  time  ye  ought  to  be  teachers,  ye  have  need  that 
one  teach  3'ou  again  which  be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of 
God,  and  are  become  such  as  have  need  of  milk,  and  not  of  strong 
meat.  For  every  one  that  useth  milk  is  unskilful  in  the  word  of 
righteousness;  for  he  is  a  babe.  But  strong  meat  belongeth  to  them 
that  are  of  full  age,  even  those  who,  by  reason  of  use,  have  their 
senses  exercised  to  discern  both  good  and  evil.  And  6: 1.  There- 
fore leaving  the  principles  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  let  us  go  on 
unto  perfection;  not  laying  again  the  foundation  of  repentance  from 
dead  works,  and  of  faith  towards  God,  &c.  1  John  2: 12,1.3.  I 
write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  your  sins  are  forgiven  you 
for  his  name's  sake. — I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  ye 
have  known  the  Father. 

d  2  Cor.  4:3,4.  But  if  our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that 
are  lost;  in  whom  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds  of 
them  which  believe  not,  lest  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospe!  of 
Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God,  should  shine  unto  them. 


GOSPfcL.    SONNETS. 

PART    IV. 

THg 

BELIEVER'S  LODGING  AND  INN  WHILE  ON  EARTH; 

OR, 

A    rOEM    AND    PARAPHRASE    UPON    PSALM    84. 

Ver.  I.     How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  of  hosts'. 

Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
Sole  Monarch  of  the  universal  host. 
Whom  the  attendant  armies  still  revere. 
Which  in  bright  robes  surround  the  higher  sphere; 
Whose  sovereign  empire  sways  the  hellish  band 
Of  ranked  legions  in  the  infernal  land; 
Who  hold'st  the  earth  at  thy  unrivall'd  beck," 
And  stayest  proud  forces  with  an  humbling  check; 
Ev'n  thou  whose  name  commands  an  awful  dread, 
Yet  deigns  to  dwell  with  man  in  very  deed; 
O  what  refreshment  fills  the  dwelling  place 
Of  thine  exuberant  unbounded  grace! 
Which  with  sweet  power  does  joy  and  praise  extort, 
In  Zion's  tents,  thine  ever  lov'd  resort: 
Where  gladd'ning  streams  of  mercy  from  above 
Make  souls  brim  full  of  warm  seraphic  love. 
Of  sweetest  odors  all  thy  garment  smells;  i 

Thy  dismal  absence  proves  a  thousand  hells,  > 

But  heavens  of  joy  are  where  thine  honour  dwells,  y 

Ver.  2.  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the 
Lord:  my  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  living  God. 

Therefore  on  thee  I  centre  my  desire. 
Which  veh'niently  bursts  out  in  ardent  fire^ 


228  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART.   IV. 

Deprived,  ah!  I  languish  in  my  plaint, 
My  bones  are  feeble,  and  my  spirits  faint. 
My  longing  soul  pants  to  heboid  again 
Thy  temple  fill'd  with  thy  majestic  train; 
Those  palaces  with  heavenly  odor  strew'd. 
And  regal  courts,  where  Zion's  King  is  viewed: 
To  see  the  beauty  of  the  highest  One, 
Upon  this  holy  mount,  his  lofty  throne: 
Whence  virtue  running  from  the  living  H^ad 
Restores  the  dying  and  revives  the  dead: 
For  him  my  heart  with  cries  repeated  sounds, 
To  which  my  flesh  with  echo  loud  rebounds 
For  him,  for  him,  who  life  in  death  can  give,  ^ 
For  him,  for  him,  whose  sole  prerogative  > 

Is  from  and  to  eternity  to  live.  y 

Ver.  3.  Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  an  house,  and  the  swallow  a 
nest  for  herself,  wliere  she  may  lay  her  young,  even  thine  altars, 
O  Lord  of  hosts,  my  King  and  my  God. 

Alas!  how  from  thy  lovely  dwellings  I, 
Long  banish'd,  do  the  happy  birds  envy; 
Which,  choosing  thy  high  altars  for  their  nest, 
On  rafters  of  thy  tabernacle  rest! 
Here  dwells  the  sparrow  of  a  chirping  tongue, 
And  here  the  swallow  lays  her  tender  young;- 
Faint  sacrilege,  they  seize  the  sacred  spot. 
And  seem  to  glory  o'er  my  absent  lot. 
Yet  sure  I  have  more  special  right  to  thee 
Than  all  the  brutal  hosts  of  earth  and  sea; 
That  Sovereign  at  whose  government  they  bow, 
Is  wholly  mine  by  his  eternal  vow; 
My  King  to  rule  my  heart  and  quell  my  foes,    ^ 
My  God  t'  extract  my  well  fiom  present  woes,  > 
And  crown  with  endless  glory  at  the  close.        ) 

Ver.  4.  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house;  they  will  be  still 
praising  thee. 

O  happy  they  that  haunt  thy  house  below, 
And  to  thy  royal  sanctuary  flow: 
Not  for  itself,  but  for  the  glorious  One, 
Who  there  inhabits  his  erected  throne'  ^' 


PART  IV.  THE   believer's   LODGING.  229 

Others  pass  by,  but  here  their  dwelling  is! 
O  happy  people  crown'd  with  bays  of  bliss! 
Bless'd  with  the  splendid  lustre  of  his  face, 
Bless'd  with  the  high  melodious  sound  of  grace. 
That  wakens  souls  into  a  sweet  amaze, 
And  turns  their  spirits  to  a  harp  of  praise,- 
Which  loudly  makes  the  lower  temple  ring 
With  hallelujahs  to  the  mighty  King: 
And  thus  they  antedate  the   nobler  song  ^ 

Of  that  celestial  and  triumphant   throng,  > 

Who  warble  notes  of  praise  eternity  along.         •  j 

Ver>  5.  Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  thee : — 

What  weights  of  bliss  their  happy  shoulders   load, 
Whose  strength  lies  treasur'd  in  a  potent  God? 
Self  drained  souls,  yet  flowing  to  the  brim. 
Because  void  in  themselves,  but  full  in  him. 
Adam  the  first  discuss'd  their  stock  of  strength, 
The  second  well  retriev'd  the  sum  at  length; 
Who  keeps't  himself  a  surer  hand  indeed, 
To  give  not  as  they  list,  but  as  they  need. 
When  raging  furies  threaten  sudden  hanns. 
He  then  extends  his  everlasting  arms; 
When  satan  drives  his  pointed  fiery  darts, 
He  gives  them  courage  and  undaunted  hearts 
To  quell  his  deadly  force  with  divine  skill, 
And  adds  new  strength  to  do  their  Sovereign's  will; 
When  sore  harass'd  by  some  outrageous  lust; 
He  levelling  its  power  unto  the  dust 
Makes  saints  to  own  him  worthy  of  their  trust. 

Ver.  6.  In  whose  heartsare  the  ways  of  them,  who  passing  throug'li 
the  valley  of  Bacca,  make  it  a  well :  the  rain  also  fiUeth  the  pools. 

Such  heav'n  born  souls  are  not  to  earth  confin'd, 
Truth's  highway  fills  his  elevated  mind: 
They,  bound  for  Zion,  press  with  forward  aim, 
As  Isra'l's  males  to  old  Jerusalem. 
Their  holy  piith  lies  through  a  parched  land, 
Through  oppositions  numerous  and  grand. 
20 


{ 


s>   will; 


2W  GOSPSL   SONIVETS.  PART  I^'- 

Traversing  scorched  deserts,  ragged  rocks, 
And  Bacca's  wither'd  vale,  like   thirsty  flocks: 
Yet  v/ith  unshaken  vigor  hanfieward  go, 
Not  mov'^d  by  all  opposing  harms  below. 
They  digging  wells  on  this  Gilboa  top. 
The  vale  of  Achor  yields  a  door  of  hope: 
For  Heav'n  in  plenty  does  their  labor  crown, 
By  making  silver  show'rs  to  trickle  down; 
Till  empty  pools  imbibe  a  pleasant  fill,  ^ 

And  weary  souls  aie  heart'ned    up  the  hill,  > 
By  massy  drops  of  j,oy  which  down  distil,      y 

Ver.  7,  Tiiej  go  from  strength  to  strengtli^  every  one  of  thera  in  & 
oa  ajjpeareth  before  God. 

Thus  they,  refreshed  by  superior  aid, 
Are  not  defatigatsd  nor  dismay'd; 
Because  they  are,  O  truth  of  awful  dread! 
As  potent  as  Jehovah  in  tli«ir  Head. 
Hence  they  shall  travel  with  triumphant  minds, 
In  spite  of  ragged  paths  and  boist'rous   winds. 
The  roughest  ways  their  vigor  ne'er  abates, 
Each  new  assault  their  strength  redintegrates. 
When  they  through  mortal  blows  seem  to  give  o'er, 
Their  strength  by  intermiting  gathers  more. 
And  thus  they,  with  unweary'd  zeal  endu'd. 
Still  as  they  journey  have  their  strength  renew'd? 
So  glorious  is  the  race,  that  once  begun, 
Each  one  contends  his  fellow  to  outrun; 
Till  all  uniting  in  a  glorious  band, 
Before  the  Lamb's  high  throne  adoring  stand, 
Ahd  harp  his  lofty  praise  in  Zion  land, 

Ver.  8.  O  Lord  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer  :  give  ear,  O  God  of 
Jacob. 

Great  God  of  num'rous  hosts,  who  reigns  alone 
The  sole  possessor  of  th'  imperial  throne; 
Since  mental  tastes  of  thy  delicious  grace 
So  sweetly  relish  in  thy  holy  place. 
This  )u^  the  subject  of  my  tabled  prayer^ 


4 

yWBT  tV.  THE   believer's   I.ODGINO.  231 

To  have  the  vision  of  thy  glory  there. 

O  let  my  cry  pierce  the  ethereal  frame, 

And  naercy's  echo  follow  down  the  same* 

Omnicient  Being,  favor  njy  desire. 

Hide  not  thy  goodness  in  paternal  ire; 

Why,  thou  hast  given  in  an  eternal  band 

To  Jacob  and  his  seed  thy  royal  hand, 

And  promised  by  thy  .sacred  Deity,  ^ 

His  King  and  covenanted  God  to  be:  > 

Therefore  ray  hopes  are  ceistred  all  in  thee,      y 

Ver.  9-  Behold,  O  God,  eur  shield,  and  look  upon  the  flLce  of  tbine 
anomted. 

Omnipotent,  whose  arnaor  none  can  wield 
Zion's  great  buckler  and  defensive  shield; 
Thy  pure  untainted  eyes  cannot  behold 
Deformed  mortals  in  their  sinful  mould: 
Unless  their  names  be  graved  on  the  breast 
Of  Zion'^s  holy  consecrated  Priest. 
When  they  his  white  and  glorious  garment  wear.; 
Then  sin  and  guilt  both  w/holjy  disappear; 
Because  o'erwheimed  in  the  crimson  flood, 
And  ocean  of  a  dying  Surety's  blood: 
They  also,  vested  with  his  radiant  grace; 
Reflect  the  lustre  of  his  holy  face. 
They're  not  themselves  now,  but  divinely  trim, 
For  wholly  what  they  are,  they  are  in  iKm* 
And  hence  Jehovah's  all  discerning  eye  i 

Cannot  in  them  espy  deformity.  \ 

Then  look  on  him,  Lord;  and  in  him  on  me.  y 

Vcr.  10-  For  a  day  iiithy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand:  1  had 
rather  be  a  dcor  keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to  dwell 
in  tlie  tents  of  wickedness. 

Mati  I  possess,  as  thy  domestic   child, 
The  house   that   by   Jehovah's   name    is   styl'd". 
For  royal  glories   deck   those   courts   of  thine, 
Which    with   majestic   rays   so   brightly    shine, 
That  should  my   mind   present  an   eartJj   of  gold 


232  GOSPEL  son:vets,  paet  rv. 

As  full  of  wordly  joys  afe  earth  can  hoH: 

Sweet  grace  so  fills  thy   house,  I'd  grudge  to  spare 

One  moment  here,  for   thousand  ages  theie. 

No    earthly    object  shall   my  love  confine. 

That  Being   which   possesses   all,   is   mine. 

My  spirit    therefore   rather    would    embrace 

The    meanest   office    in    his    holy   place. 

And    by   the   threshold   of  his   house    within. 

Than    sit   in   splendor  on  a   throne  of  sin, 

In   Jesus'   courts   I'd  choose  the   lowest  place. 

At  his  saints'   feet,  so  I  might  see  bis   face. 

Yea,  tho'  my  lamp  of  outward    peace  should   burn  1 

Most    brightly,   yet  I   would   incessant   mourn,  > 

While    in  a    tyicked   Mesech   i  sojourn,  j 

Ver.  11.  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield :  the  Lord' will  give 
grace  and  glory;  no  good  thing  will  lie  wi^iliold  from  tliem  that 
walk  uprightly. 

For   God   the   Lord,   whose  courts  I  love  to  haunt. 
Is   ev'ry    thing   that   empty    souls   can   want: 
A   sun   for  light,   a   shield   for   strength;  yea,  more, 
On  earth  he  gives  his  grace,  in  heav'n  his  glore. 
This  radiant  sun,  of  life  and  light  the  source; 
Scatters  the  shades  by  circumambient  course; 
Yea,  guides  bemisted  souls  with  heartsome    beams,. 
And  gloriously  irradiating  gleams. 
This  massy    shield   is  polish'd    bright   with  power,. 
For   helping    weaklings   in   a   per'lous   hour. 
Here's  all  that  weary  travellers  would  have, 
A  sun  to  cherish,  and  a  shield  to   save. 
Grace  also   here    is   given   t'   adorn    the   soul„ 
And  yield   to    glory    in    the    heav'nly    pole. 
All  divine  treasure   to   the  saint    is  due; 
Nothing's  deny'd,  if  truth  itself  be    true. 
The  treasure  is  so  vast   it  can't   be   told; 
Nothing   that   God  can   give,   will  God   withhoM* 
To   whom   he   doth   his   saving   grace  impart, 
To  them  he  gives  himself,   his  hand,   his   heart? 
Uprightness    too    of  heart  and    life    does    fall 
Uato   their   share,  who   having   him,   have  alL 


PAETTV.  THE   BEITEVES  S    IfOTSGmG.  533 

In   them   the   ^ace  he  gives,  he   still   regards; 
Cfives   holiness,  and  then  his  gift  rewards. 
For  to   his   own  upright  and  divine    brood  i 

He's  bound  to  grant  ev^n  all  that's  great  and  good,  > 
By's  own  sure   word,  firia  oath,  and   sacred  blood.  \ 

Ver.  12.  O  Loro  of  hosts, 'Messed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee. 

O   then,  Jehovah,    God  of  armies  strong, 
To   whom   the    powers   of  earth   and    heav'n   belongs 
How   vastly    blessed  is   the   fixed   man« 
Who  by    a    firm    fiduciaJ    boldness    can. 
Through  grace   and   strength   dispensed   from   above, 
S6   sweetly   scan   the  height  of  divine    love, 
As   to   derive    his  comfort    wholly    thence, 
And  on    this  rock   to   found    his   confidence! 
Whose   faith   has   rear'd    up  for   a    firm   abode 
A   stable    building  on   a   living   Gk)d? 
Who,  spoil'd  of  human   props  both   great  and   small. 
Does   choose   a   tri-une   deity   for   all? 
What   scrolls   of  bliss   are   in    this   All  enroll'd; 
Is    too   sublime    for   seraphs  to    unfold. 
Sist,   human    wisdom,   in    a   deep   amaze!  i 

Let    rapid   floods   of  life   his  glory  raise,  > 

Ti^l    time   be  <lrown'd   in   his  eternal   praise. ) 

A  fourfold  Exercise  for  the  Believer  in  his  Lodging 
OH  earth. 

I,     THE     HOLY    LAW, 

OR, 

The  Teu  Commandments,  Exod.  20:3—17. 

1.  N<5  God   but   me   thou  shalt  adore. 

2.  No  image   frame    to    bow    before. 

3.  My  holy  name  take  net  in  vain. 

4.  My  sacred   sabbath  don't   profane, 

5.  To  parents   render   due   respect. 

6.  All  murder  shun,  and   malice   check.. 

2Q* 


234  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  IV:. 

7.  From   filth  and    whoredom    base   abstainj 

8.  From   theft   and    all  unlawful   gain. 

9.  False   witness   flee,  and   slandering   spite; 
10.  Nor  covet    what's   thy   neighbor's  right. 

H.    THE  UNHOLY    HEART,  THE  DIKE.CT  OPPOSITE  TO  000% 
fiOLY  AND  BIGHTEOUS  LAW,  Rom.  7:14, 


The  knowledge  of  sin  by  the  kw,  Rom.  3:20, 

1.  My  heart's   to   many  god^   a   sjiave; 

2.  Of  imagery  an    hideous   cave. 

3.  An  hoard   of  God  dishon'ring   crimesj 

4.  A    waster  base   of  holy    times; 

5.  A    throne    of   pride    and   self-conceit; 

6.  A  slaughter   house   of  wrath   and    hate; 

7.  A  cage    of  birds    and    thoughts    unclean; 

8.  A   den   of  thieves    and   frauds   unseen; 

9.  A   heap   of  calumnies   unspent; 
10.  A   gulph   oj"  greed   and   discontent, 

III.    THE    GLORIOUS    GOSPEL, 


C^irist  the  ejid  of  €he  La\^  for  Righteousness,  Rom.  10:4;  and  the 
absolute  need  of  this  remedy  infulrdd  from  the  premises. 

Hence  I   conclude,   and  clearly   see. 
There's   by  the    law    no  h(e   for   me; 
Which   damns   each  soul    to  endless   thrall 
Whose    heart   and    life    fulfil   not   all. 
What   shall    I  do^   unless   for  bail 
I   from   the   law    to   grace   appeal? 
She  reigns  through   Jesus'   righteousness. 
Which,   giving  justice  full    redress, 
On   grace's  door   this   motfo  grav'd, 
'Let   sin   be   damn'd,    and  sinners   sav'd.* 
O  wisdom's   deep  mysterious   wayl  ^ 

Lo,   at   this  door  I'll  waiting  stay,  v 

Till   sin  and  hell   bolh  pass  away.  y 


PART  IV.  THE    believer's    LODGING.  235 

But   in    this  bliss  to  shew   my   part,  ^ 

Grant,   through    thy  law  grav'd  on   my  heart,    > 
My    life    may    shew   thy  graving   art.  y 

IV.       THE   PRAYER  OF  FAITII. 

Which  may  be  conceived  in  the  following  words  of  a  certain 
author: 

Sim  tuus  in  vita,  tua  sint  mea  funera,  Christe; 

Da,  precor,  imperii  sceptra  tenere  tui. 
Cur  ctenim   moriei7s,  tol    vulncra  sa;va  tulisti, 

Si   non   sum  regni   portio  parva   tui? 

Cur   ligido   latuit   tua   vita  inclusa   sepulchro, 
Si    non    est   mea   mors   morte   fugata  tua? 

Ergo   mihi  certam    pra^stcs,   O   Christe,   salutemj 
Meque    tuo  lotum   sanguine;  Christe,  juva. 

WHICH    1L\Y    BE    TIJUS    ENQf^ISHED: 

Jesus,    I'm    thine    in   life   and   death, 

Oh   let    me    conquering    hold    thy   throne^^ 

Why    shar'd   the   cross   thy  vital  breath. 
If  not    to   make    me   share    thy   crown? 

Why    laid    in  jail  of  cruel   grave, 

If  not    thy    death   from    death   me   (roe'! 

Then,    Lord,    insure    the   bliss    I    crave, 
Seal'd   with   thy   blood,  and  succor  me. 


OOSPEL  SONNETS. 


P^RT    V. 


THE  BELIEVER'S  SOLILOQUY, 

ESPECIALLY  IN  TIMES  OF  DESERTION,  DISTRESS,  AFPLJC- 
TION,    &C. 


Sect.  i.    The  deserted  Believer  longing  for  perfect  freedom  from 

sin. 

Ah  mournful   case!    what   can   afford 
Contentment    when    an    absent    Lord 
Will    now    his    kindness    never  prove 
By   smiles   of  grace   nor   lines   of  love? 

What   heart  can  joy,    what   soul  can  sing, 
While    winter    overruns    the    spring! 
I   die,  yet  can't  my  death  condole; 
Lord,  save  a  dying,  drooping  soul: 

In  pain,  yet  unconcern'd  I  live. 
And  languish  when  I  should  believe. 
Lord,  if  thou  cease  to  come  and  stay, 
My  soul  in  sin  will  pine  away. 

In  sin,  whose  ill  no  tongue  can  tell, 
To  live  is  death,  to  die  is   hell;' 
O  save,  if  not   from  thrall's  arrest. 
Yet  save  me.  Lord,  from  siri  at  least. 

This  for  his  merit's  sake  I  seek. 
Whose  blood  and  wounds  do  mercy  speak; 
Who  left  the  rank  of  glorious  choirs, 
And   heavenly  flowers  for  earthly  briers. 

Our  Samson  took  an  holy    nap 
Upon  our  feeble  nature's   lap; 


SECT.  I.  THE  believer's  SOLILOaUY'  237 

He,  wamrring  in  a  pilgrim's  weed, 
Did  taste  our  griefs  to  help  our  need. 

Earth's  fury  di^  upon    him   light; 
How    black    was   Herod's   cruel  spite, 
Who,  to  be   sure  of  murdering   one, 
Lest  he  be   spar'd  did    pity   none! 

Hell   hunts  the  babe  a  few   days  old 
That  came    to    lifle   Satan's   fold; 
All    hands   pursued   him  even    to  death, 
That  came    to  save   from  sin  and    wrath. 

O  mercy   ignorant    of  bounds. 

Which  all  created    thought  confounds! 

He   ran   outright  a  saving    race 

For  them  that   unto  death  him   chase. 

O  sin,  how   heavy   is  thy  weight 
That  press'd  the  glorious  God   of  might! 
Till,   prostrate  on   the   freezing  ground, 
He  sweat  his  clotted   blood  around! 

His  hand   the  ponderous  globe  does   prop. 
This   weight  ne'er  made   him  sweat  a  drop; 
But  when   sin's  load   upon  him  lies, 
He  falls,  and  sweats,  and  groans,  and  dies. 

Alas!    if  God    sink    under    sin. 
How   shall    the    man   that  dies   therein! 
How   deeply    down,    when    to    the    load 
He   adds   the    slighted    blood    of  God? 

Lord,  let  thy  fall   my   rise  obtain, 
Thy    grievous   shame    my   glory  gain; 
Thy    cross   my    lasting   crown    procure. 
Thy  death   my    endless  life    insure. 

O  send   me  down  a   draught    of  love. 
Or   take    me   hence   to   drink  above; 
Here  Marah's  water  fills    my  cup, 
But  there  all  griefs  are  swallowed    up. 

Love  here    is   scarce  a  faint  desire. 
But  there   the   spark's  a   flaming  fire. 


238 


GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART.  V. 


Joys  here   are  drops  that  passing  flee, 
But   there  an   overflowing  sea. 

My   faith   that   sees   so  darkly   here, 
Will  there  resign   to  vision   clear; 
My  hope,   that's    here   a    weary  groan, 
Will  to  fruition  yield  the  throne. 

Here  fetters    hamper   freedom's   wing, 
But  there  the  captive   is  a  king; 
And  grace  is  like  a  buried  seed 
But  sinners  there  are  saints  indeed. 

Thy  portion  here's  a  crumb  at  best. 
But  there,  the  Lamb's  eternal  feast; 
My  praise  is  now  a  smother'd  fire, 
But  there  I'll  sing  and  never  tire. 

Now  dusky  shadows  cloud  my  day. 
But  then  the  shades  will  flee  away; 
My  Lord   will  break  the  dimming  glass, 
And  shew  his  glory   face  to   face. 

My  numerous  foes  now  beat  me  down, 
But  then  I'll  wear  the  victor's  crown; 
Yet  all  the  revenues  I'll   bring 
To  Zion's  everlasting  King. 

Sect,  ii     The  deserted  Believer's  prayer  under  complaints  of  un- 
belief, darkness,  deadness,  and  hardness. 

What  means  this  wicked,  wand'ring  heart? 

This  trembling  ague  of  my  soul? 
Would  Jesus  but  a  look  impart. 

One  look  from  him  would  make  me  whole. 

But  will  he  turn  to  me  his  face. 

From  whom  he  justly  did  withdraw? 

To  me  that  slighted  all  that  grace 
I  in  my  past  experience  saw? 

Lord,  for  thy  promise  sake,  return. 
Apply  thy  pard'ning,  cleansing  blood; 

Look  down  with  pity  on  a  worm. 
With  covenant  mercy  do  me  good. 


SECT.  II.  THE  bellievbr's  SOLILOaUV.  239 

When  thy  free  Spirit  the  word  applies. 
And  kindly  tells  me  thou  art  mine, 

My  faithless  sinking  heart  replies, 
Ah,  Lord!  I  wish  I  could  be  thine. 

My  faith's  so  'nighted  in  my  doubts, 

I  cast  the  offer'd  good  away; 
And  lose,  by  raising  vain  disputes, 

The  wonted  blessings  of  the  day. 

Was  e'er  one  press'd  with  such  a  load. 
Or  picrc'd  with  such  an  unseen  dart: 

To  find  at  once  an  absent  God, 
And  yet,  alas!  a  careless  heart? 

Such  grief  as  mine,  a  griefless  grief. 

Did  ever  any  mortal  share? 
A  hopeless  hope,  a  lifeless  life, 

Or  such  unwonted  careless  care? 

'Tis  sad.  Lord !  when  for  night's  solace, 
Nor  moon,  nor  starry  gleams  appear; 

Yet  worse,  when  in  this  dismal  case 
My  heart  is  harden'd  from  thy  fear. 

■  'Twas  not  because  no  showers  did  flow 
Of  heavenly  manna  at  my  door; 
But  by  my  folly  I'm  into 

A  worse  condition  than  before. 

Come,  Lord,  with  greater  pow'r;  for  why, 

Mine  sure  is  not  a  common  case: 
Thou  offerest  to  unvail;  yet  I 

Do  scarce  incline  to  see  thy  face. 

Such  languid  faint  desires  I  feel 

Within  this  wicked  stupid  heart; 
I  should,  I  would,  but  that  1  will 

I  hardly  dare  with  truth  assert. 

0  to  be  free  of  that  vile  wrack. 

That  basely  keeps  me  from  my  God  ! 

1  flee  from  thee,  Lord;  bring  me  back 

By  tender  love,  or  by  thy  rod. 
In  paths  of  righteousness  direct, 
New  proofs  of  thy  remission  give; 


240  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART    V. 

Then  of  thy  name  I'll  mention  make 
With  grateful  praises  while  I  live. 

On  banks  of  mercy's  boundless  deep, 
With  swifter  ease  I'll  soar  and  sing, 

Than  kings  of  feathered  hosts,  that  sweep 
The  oozy  shore  with  easy  wing. 

But  if  thy  mind  omniscient  know 

I'm  for  this  absent  bliss  unfit. 
Give  grace  to  hate  my  sins,  and  to 

Their  righteous  punishment  submit. 

But  let  me  ne'er  thy  Spirit  lack. 

That  by  his  aid  my  prayers  may  come 

Before  him,  who  can  wisely  make 
Ev'n  distance  lead  his  people  home. 

Deep  wisdom  can  my  soul  prepare 

By  present  woes  for  absent  bliss. 
By  acid  griefs  that  now  I  share. 

He  can  convey  the  joys  I  miss. 

Who  all  from  nothing's  womb  disclos'd, 
Can  make  th'  amazing  product  cease; 

With  him  our  order  is  confus'd. 

By  him  confusion  brings  forth  peace. 

Then,  Lord,  ne'er  let  me  basely  spurn 
Against  thy  searchless  unknown  ways; 

But  magnify  thy  work,  and  turn 

My  groans  and  murmurs  into  praise. 

■     Let  me  submissive,  while  I  live, 
Thy  awful  justice  own  with  fear; 
Yet  pensive  let  me  never  grieve 
Thy  tender  mercy  by  despair. 

Since  though  by  sin  I  foully  swerv'd, 

And  lewdly  from  my  glory  fell, 
I'm  chasten'd  here  and  not  reserv'd 

To  feel  the  weight  of  sin  and  hell. 

Thy  high  right  hand's  once  joyful  daya 

In  my  distress  I'll  call  to  mind; 
And  own  that  all  thy  darkest  ways 

Will  clearly  prove  thee  good  and  kind. 


SKCr.  in.  THE    BELIEVEK's    SOLILOQtTY.  241 

Sect.  hi.    The  Believer  wading  through  deeps  of  desertion  and 
corruption. 

Lord,  when  thy  face  thou  hid'st, 

And  leav'st  me  long  to  plore, 
I  faithless  doubt  of  all  thou  didst 

And  wrouffht'st  for  me  before. 

No  marks  of  love  I  find, 

No  grains  of  grace,  but  wracks; 
No  track  of  heav'n  is  left  behind, 

No  groans,  no  smoking  flax. 

But  say,  if  all  the  gusts 

And  grains  of  love  be  spent. 
Say,  Farewell  Christ,  and  welcome  lustsi 

Stop;  stop:  I  melt,  I  faint. 

Lord,  yet  thou  hast  my  heart, 

This  bnrgain  black  I  hate, 
I  dtuo  not,  cannot,  will  not  part 

Wiih  thee  at  such  a  rate, 

Once,  like  a  father  good. 

Thou  didst  with  grace  perfume; 
Wast  thou  a  father  to  conclude 

With  dreadful  judge's  doom? 

Confirm  thy  former  deed. 

Reform  what  is  defil'd; 
I  was,  I  am,  I  still  abide 

Thy  choice,  thy  charge,  thy  child. 

Love-sea!s  thou  didst  impart,  ^ 

Lock'd  up  in  mind  I  have; 
Hell  cannot  rase  out  of  my  heart 

What  Heav'n  did  there  engrave. 

Thou  once  didst  make  me  whole 

By  thy  almighty  hand: 
Thou  mad'st  me  vow  and  gift  ray  soul; 

Both  vow  and  gift  shall  stand. 

But,  since  ray  folly  gross, 
My  joyful  cup  did  spill, 
21 


24:2  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  iPABT  V. 

Make  me  the  captive  of  thy  cross. 
Submissive  to  thy  will. 

Self  in  myself  I  bate, 

That's  matter  of  my  groan; 
Nor  can  I  rid  me  from  the  mate 

That  causes  me  to  moan. 

0  frail,  inconstant  fleshl 
Soon  trapt  in  ev'ry  gin; 

Soon  turn'd,  o'erturn'd,  and  so  afresb 
Plung'd  in  the  gulf  of  sin, 

Shall  I  be  slave  to  sin, 

My  Lord's  most  bloody  foe! 

1  feel  its  pow'i-ful  svray  within. 

How  long  shall  it  be  sol 

How  long.  Lord,  shall  I  stay? 

How  long  in  Mesech  l>ere? 
Dislion'ring  thee  from  day  to  day, 

Whose  name's  to  me  so  dear? 

While  sin.  Lord,  breeds  my  grief. 

And  makes  me  sadly  pine; 
With  blinks  of  grace,  O  grant  relief. 

Till  beams  of  glory  shine. 

Sect.  iv.    Complaint  £>f  sin,  sorrow,  and  want  of  lovs 

Ip  black  doom  by  desert  should  go. 

Then,  Loid,  my  due  desert  is  death; 
Which  robs  from  souls  immortal  joy. 

And  fron>  their  bodies  mortal  breathe- 
But  in  so  great  a  Saviour, 

Can  e'er  so  base  a  worm's  annoy 
Add  any  glory  to  thy  pow'r, 

Or  any  gladness  to  thy  joy? 

Thou  justly  raay'st  me  doom  to  deaths 

And  everlasting  flames  of  fire; 
But  on  a  wretch  to  pour  thy  wrath 

Can  never  sure  be  worth  thine  ire- 


^iECT.   til.  THE   believer's   SOLILOQUY.  24ic 

Since  Jesus  the  atonement  was, 

Let  tender  mercy  me  release; 
Let  him  be  umpire  of  my  cause. 

And  pass  the  gladsome  doom  of  peace. 

Let  grace  forgive  and  love  forget 

My  base,  my  vile  apostacy; 
And  temper  thy  deserved  hate 

With  love  and  mercy  towards  me. 

The  ruffling  winds  and  raging  blasts 

Hold  me  in  constant  cruel  chase; 
They  break  my  anchors,  sails,  and  masts. 

Allowing  no  reposing  place. 

The  boist'rous  seas  with  swelling  floods. 

On  every  side  against  me  fight; 
Heav'n,  overcast  with  stormy  clouds. 

Dims  all  the  planets'  guiding  light. 

The  hellish  furies  lie  in  waii, 

To  win  my  soul  into  their  pow'r; 
To  make  me  bite  at  ev'ry  bait, 

And  thus  my  killing  bane  devour. 

I  lie  enchain'd  in  sin  and  tbyall, 

Next  border  unto  black  despair, 
Till  grace  restore,  and  of  my  fall 

The  doleful  ruins  all  repair. 

My  hov'ring  thoughts  would  flee  to  glore, 

And  nestle  safe  above  the  sky; 
Fain  would  my  trembling  ship  ashore 

At  that  sure  anchor  quiet  lie. 

But  mounting  thoughts  are  haled  down 

With  heavy  poise  of  corrupt  load; 
And  biust'ring  storms  deny  with  frown 

An  harbor  of  secure  abode. 

To  drown  the  wight  that  wakes  the  blast, 

Thy  sin-subduing  grace  aiford; 
The  storm  might  cease,  could  I  but  cast 

This  troubJous  Jonah  overboard. 


244  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART   T> 

Base  6esh,  with  fleshly  pleasures  goin'd, 
Sweet  grace's  kindly  suit  declines: 

When  mercy  courts  rne  for  its  friend, 
Anon  my  sordid  flesh  repines. 

Soar  up,  my  soul,  to  Tabor  hill, 

Cast  off'  this  loathsome  pressing  load; 

Long  is  the  date  of  thine  exile, 

While  absent  from  the  Lord  thy  God. 

Dote  not  on  earthly  weeds  and  toys, 
Which  do  not,  cannot  suit  thy  tastet 

The  flowers  of  everlasting  joys 
Grow  up  apace  for  thy  repast. 

Sith  that  the  glorious  God  above 

In  Jesus  bears  a  love  to' thee; 
How  base,  how  brutish  is  thy  love 

Of  any  being  less  than  he? 

Who  for  thy  love  did  choose  thy  grie^ 

Content  in  love  to  live  and  die: 
Who  lov'd  thy  love  more  than  his  life. 

And  with  his  life  thy  love  did  buy. 

Since  then  the  God  of  richest  love 

With  thy  poor  love  enamor'd  is, 
How  high  a  crime  will  thee  reprove 

If  not  enamor'd  deep  with  his? 

Since  on  the  verdant  field  of  grace 
His  love  does  thine  so  hot  pursue; 

Let  love  meet  love  with  chaste  embrace^ 
Thy  mite  a  thousand  (old  is  due. 

Rise,  love,  thou  early  heaven,  and  sing, 
Young  little  dawn  of  endless  day: 

I'll  on  thy  mounting  fiery  wing 
In  joyful  raptures  melt  i:v/ay» 

Sbct.  v.     The  deserted  soul's   prayer  for  the  Lord's  gracious 
and  sin-subduing  presence, 

Kind  Jesus,  come  in  love  to  me, 
And  make  no  longer  stay; 


SECT.  V.  THE   believer's   SOLTLOatnF.  1245 

Or  else  receive  my  soul  to  thee, 
Thai  breathes  to  be  away. 

A  Lazar  at  thy  gate  I  lie, 

As  well  it  me  becomes, 
-For  children's  br^ad  asham'd  to  cry: 

O  grant  a  dog  the  crumbs. 

My  wounds  and  rags  my  need  proclaim. 

They  needful  help  insure: 
My  wounds  bear  witness  that  I'm  lame^ 

My  rags  that  I  am  poor. 

Thou  many  at  thy  door  dost  feed 

With  mercy  when  distrest; 
O  wilt  thou  not  shew  an  alms  deed 

To  me  among  the  rest? 

None  else  can  give  my  soul  relief, 

None  else  can  ease  my  moan, 
But  he  whose  absence  is  my  grief: 

All  other  joys  be  gone. 

How  can  I  cease  from  sad  complaint, 

How  can  I  be  at  resti 
My  mind  can  never  be  content 

To  want  my  noble  guest. 

Drop  down,  mine  eyes,  and  never  tire. 

Cease  not  on  any  terms, 
Until  I  have  my  heart's  desire. 

My  Lord  within  mine  arms. 

My  heart,  my  hand,  my  spirits  fail. 

When  hiding  off  he  goes; 
My  flesh,  my  foes,  my  lusts  prevaiij 

And  work  my  daily  woes. 

When  shall  I  see  that  glorious  sight 

Will  all  my  sins  destroy? 
That  Lord  of  love,  that  lamp  of  light. 

Will  banish  all  annoy? 

O  could  I  but  from  sinning  cease. 
And  wait  on  Pisgah's  hill, 
21* 


246  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PABT»  T. 

Until  I  see  hrtn  face  to  face, 
Then  should  my  soul  be  still. 

But  since  corruption  cleaves  to  me 

While  I  in  Kedar  dwell; 
O  give  me  leave  to  long  for  thee^ 

For  absence  is  a  hell. 

Thy  glory  should  be  dear  to  me, 

Who  me  so  dear  hast  bought: 
O  save  from  rend'ring  ill  to  thee 

For  good  which  thou  hast  wrought. 

With  fear  I  crave,  with  hope  I  cry, 

Oh  promis'd  favor  send; 
Be  thou  thyself,  though  changeling  I 

Ungratefully  offend. 

Out  of  thy  way  remove  the  lets, 

Cleanse  this  polluted  den; 
Tender  my  suits,  cancel  my  debts^ 

Sweet  Jesus,  say  Amen- 

Sect.  vi.    The  Song  of  Heaven  desired  by  Saints  on  EartSu 

Aurora  vails  her  rosy  face 
When  brighter  Phoebus  takes  her  placej 
So  glad  will  grace  resign  her  room 
To  glory  in  the  heav'nly  home. 

Happy  the  company  tliat's  gone 

From  cross  to  crown,  from  thrall  to  thronej: 

How  loud  they  sing  upon  the  shore, 

To  which  they  sail'd  in  heart  before! 

Bless'd  are  the  dead,  yea,  saith  the  word,- 
That  die  in  Christ  the  living  Lord, 
And  on  the  other  side  of  death 
Thus  joyful  spend  their  praising  breath:- 

"  Death  fiom  all  death  has  set  us  free, 
"  And  will  our  gain  for  ever  be; 
"Death  loos'd  the  massy  chain  of  w©^ 
**  To  let  the  mournful  eaptives  go* 


SECT.  VI.  THE    believer's    SOLILOQUY.  247 

•'  Death  is  to  us  a  sweet  repose; 
"  The  bud  was  op'd  to  show  the  rose; 
"  The  cage  was  broke  to  let  us  fly, 
"  And  build  our  happy  nest  on  high. 

"  Lo,  here  we  do  triumphant  reign, 
"  And  joyful  sing  in  lofty  strain: 
"  Lo,  here  we  rest,  and  love  to  be, 
"  Enjoying  more  than  faith  could  see. 

"  The  thousandth  part  we  now  behold, 
"  By  mortal  tongues  was  never  told; 
♦'  We  got  a  taste,  but  now  above 
"  We  forage  in  the  fields  of  love. 

"  Faith  once  stole  down  a  distant  kiss, 
"  Now  love  cleaves  to  the  cheek  of  blissj 
"  Beyond  the  fears  of  more  mishap 
"  We  gladly  rest  in  glory's  lap. 

"  Earth  was  to  us  a  seat  of  war, 

"  In  thrones  of  triumph  now  we  are. 

♦'  We  long'd  to  see  our  Jesus  dear, 

•'  And  sought  him  there,  but  find  him  here. 

"  We  walk  in  white  without  annoy, 
"  In  glorious  galleries  of  joy: 
*'Andcrown-d  with  everlasting  bays, 
"  We  rival  Cherubs  in  their  praise. 

*'  No  longer  we  complain  of  wants, 
♦'  We  see  the  glorious  King  of  saints, 
•'  Amidst  his  joyful  hosts  around, 
"With  ail  the  divine  glory  crown'd. 

*'  Wo  see  him  at  his  table  head 
"  With  living  water,  living  bread, 
"  His  cheerful  guests  incessant  load 
"  V/ith  all  the  plenitude  of  God. 

'^  We  see  the  holy  flaming  fires, 

"  Cherubic  and  seraphic  choirs; 

"  And  gladly  join  with  those  on  high, 

*♦  To  warble  praise  eternally. 


248  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  V. 

'  Glory  to  God  that  here  we  came, 
'  And  glory  to  the  glorious  Lamb. 
'  Our  light,  our  life,  our  joy,  our  all 
'Is  in  our  arms,  and  ever  shall. 

'Our  Lord  is  ours,  and  we  are  his; 
'  Yea,  now  we  see  him  as  he  is: 
'  And  hence  we  like  unto  him  are, 
'  And  full  his  glorious  image  share. 

'  No  darkness  now,  no  dismal  night, 
'  No  vapor  intercepts  the  light; 
'  We  see  for  ever  face  to  face, 
'The  highest  Prince  in  highest  place. 

'  This,  this,  does  heav'n  enough  afford, 
'We  are  forever  with  the  Lord: 
'  We  want  no  more,  for  all  is  given; 
'  His  presence  is  the  heart  of  heav'n." 

While  thus  I  laid  my  list'ning  ear 
Close  to  the  door  of  heav'n  to  hear; 
And  then  the  sacred  page  did  view, 
Which  told  me  all  I  heard  was  true; 

Yet  shew'd  me  that  the  heav'nly  song 
Surpasses  ev'ry  mortal  tongue, 
With  such  unutterable  strains 
As  none  in  fett'ring  flesh  attains: 

Then  said  I,  "  O  to  mount  away, 
"  And  leave  this  clog  of  heavy  clay! 
"  Let  wings  of  time  more  hasty  fly, 
"  That  I  may  join  the  songs  on  high." 


GOSPKL   SONNETIS. 


PART    VI. 


THE  BELIEVER'S  PRINCIPLES, 

CONCERNING 

1.  CREATION  AND  REDEMPTION.  2.  LAW  AND  GOS- 
PEL. 3.  JUSTIFICATION  AND  SANCTIFICATIOJNT, 
4.  FAITH  AND  SENSE.     5.  HEAVEN  AND  EARTH. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE  believer's  PRINCIPLES  CONCERNING   CREATION  AND 

redemption;  or,  some  of  the  first  principles  of 
the  oracles  of  god. 

The  first  chapter  of  Genesis   compcndized;    or,   the    first   Seven 
Days'  Work,  from  the  following  Latin  lines  Englished : 

Prima  dies  coelum,  et  teiram,  lucemque,  creavit. 
Altera  disteiulit  spatiuin,  discrimen  aquarum- 
Tertia  secerneiis  undas,  dat  graniina  terris. 
Quarta  creat  solem  et  lonam,  coDlestiaque  astra. 
Quinta  dcdit  pisces,  eadem  genus  omne  voiaiitum. 
Sexta  ttdit  pecudes,  hoiniiicra  quoque  quem  Deus  ipse 
C'ondidit;  inde  operis  requics  lux  septima  i'ulsit. 

IN    ENGLISH  thus: 

1.  The  first  day  hcav'n,  earth,  light,  Jehovah  sent. 

2.  The  next  a  water  sund'ring  firuiament. 

3.  Tiie  third  made  dry  land  spring  with  flow'ry  pride. 

4.  The  fourth  set  up  bright  lamps  time  to  divide. 

5.  The  fil'th  brought  swimming  tish  and  flying  fowl. 

6.  The  sixth,  earth's  herds,  and  man  to  bear  the  rule. 

7.  The  seventh  brought  forth  no  more,  yet  bro't  the  best, 
The  lab'ring  creatures'  and  Creator's  rest. 


250  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  VI. 

OR  thus: 
The  first  day  at  Jehovah's  word, 
Did  heav'n,  and  earth,  and  light  afford. 

The  next,  a  firmament  so  wide 

As  might  the  waters'  course  divide. 

The  third,  severing  land  from  seas, 

Made  earth  produce  herbs,  grass,  and  trees. 

The  fourth,  sun,  moon  and  stars  of  light, 
Set  up  to  rule  the  day  and  night. 

The  fifth  made  fish  in  depths  to  move, 
And  fowls  to  fly  in  aii  above. 

The  sixth  all  earthly  beasts  did  bring, 
And  man  to  be  the  creatures'  king. 

The  seventh,  of  all  these  days  the  best, 
Was  made  for  God  and  man  to  rest. 

Redemption  work  doth  bring  again 
The  first  of  these  to  be  the  main. 

Fetching  new  heav'ns  and  earth  in  sight. 
And  immortality  to  light. 

Since,  then,  the  first  is  now  the  best. 
Keep  well  this  pledge  of  endless  rest. 

THE  sum:  of  creation. 
All  things  from  nothing,  to  their  Sov'reign  Loid 
Obedient  rose  at  his  commanding  word. 
Fair  in  his  eye  the  whole  creation  stood; 
He  saw  the  building  and  pronounc'd  it  good. 
And  now  each  work  (while  nature's  fabric  stands) 
Loud  for  its  wise  and  mighty  Lord  demands 
A  rent  of  praise,  a  loud  and  lofty   song. 
From  ev'ry   rational  beholder's  tongue. 

Sect.  ii.  Of  Redemption.  The  mystery  of  the  Redeemer's  in- 
carnation; or  God  manifested  in  the  flesh.  i  Tim.  3:1 6.  John 
1:14. 

What  though  the  waters,  struck  with  dread, 
Rise  up  and  form  a  pyramid? 


SECT.  II.  THE    believer's   PRINCIPLES.  251 

Though  floods  should  gush  from  rocks  and  stones, 
Qr  living  souls  fiom  wither'd  bones? 

To  hear  of  an  incarnate  God 
Is  yet  more  wonderful  and  odd; 
Or  to  behold  how  God  most  high 
Could  in  our  nature  breathe  and  die. 

What  though  the  bright  angelic  forms 
Degraded  were  to   crawling  worms? 
These   creatures  were  but  creatures  still, 
Transform'd   at  their  Creator's  will. 

Though  creatures  change  a  thousand  ways, 
It  cannot  such  amazement  raise, 
Nor  such  a  scene   as   this   display, 
The  eternal   Word  a   piece  of  clay. 

God-man   a  strange  contexture   fix'd; 
Yet   not  confused  nor  commix'd; 
Yet  still  a  mystery  great  and  fresh, 
A  Spirit  infinite  made  flesh. 

What  though  when  nothing  heard  his  call. 
Nothing  obey'd   and   brought   forth  all! 
What  though   he  nothing's  brood  maintain, 
Or,  all  annihilate  again? 

Let  nothing  into  being  pass, 
Or  back    again    to   what    it   was? 
But,  lo!  the  God  of  beings  here, 
As   turn'd   to  nothing  doth  appear. 

All   heav'n's  astonish'd  at  his  form, 
The  mighty  God  became  a  worm. 
Down  Aiian  pride  to  him  shall  bow, 
He's  Jesus  and  Jehovah  too. 

THE    SUM    OF    REDEMPTION. 

With  haughty  mind  to  Godhead  man  aspir'd; 
With  loving  mind  our  manhood  God  desir'd; 
Man  was  by  pride  from  place  of  pleasure  chas'd,, 
God  man  by  love  in  greater  pleasure  plac'd. 


252  eOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    VI. 

Man  seeking  to  ascend  procured  our  fall, 
God  yielding  to  descend  remov'd  our  thrall: 
The  Judge  was  cast,  the  guilty  to  acquit. 
The  Sun  defac'd  to  lend  the  shades  the  light. 


^ECT.    III.       THE    REDEEMER  S    WORK. 

OR, 

Christ  all  in  all,  and  our  complete  Redemption. 

A   GOSPEL   CATECHISM    FOR    YOUNO    CHRISTIANS, 

Qves.  Kind  teacher,  may  I  come  to  learn 

In  this  abrupt  address, 
By  framing  questions  that  concern 

My  endless  happiness? 

Ans.  Yea,  child;  but  if  you'd  learn  to  run 

The  great  salvation  race. 
Know  that  the  name  of  Christ  alone 

Can  answer  ev^y  case, 

Q.  By  sin,  my  God  and  all  is  lost, 

O  where  may  God  be  found? 
A.  In  Christ;  for  so  the  Holy  Ghost 

Shews  by  the  joyful  sound. 

Q.  But  how  will  God  with  sinful  me 

Again  be  reconcil'd? 
A.  In  Christ,  in  whom  his  grace  to  thee 

And  favor  is  reveal'd. 

Q.  O  how  shall  I  a  sharer  prove. 

And  see  his  glorious  grace? 
A.  In  Christ  the  image  of  his  love, 

And  brightness  of  his  face. 

Q.  '^^  'lers  shall  I  seek  all  divine  store, 

Ai)d  without  fail  obtain? 
A.  In  Christ,  in  whom  for  ever  more 

His  fulness  doth  remain. 


ss«!^  ni,  THE  believek's  principles.  S53 

Q'  But  how  shall  T  escape  and  flee 

Til*  avenging-  wrath  of  God? 
At  In  Christ,  who  bore  upon  the  tree 

That  whole  amazing  load, 

Q.  Alas!  I'm  daily  apt  to  stray, 

How  shall  I  heav'n-ward  make? 
A'  Through  Christ  the  cortsecrated  way, 

Designed  for  thee  to  take. 

Q,  Ah!  where '9  my  title,  right,  or  clairs!  . 

To  that  eternal  bliss? 
A.  In  Christ  alone,  that  glorioas  nanse. 

The  Lord  our  righteousness-  j,^ 

Q.  But  who  unfit  can  enter  tliere. 

Or  Brith  such  nasty  feet? 
A'  Christ  by  his  blood  presents  thee  fair. 

His  Spirit  makes  thee  meet. 

Q.  But  may'nt  my  spirit,  weak  as  grass,  " 
Fail  ere  it  reach  the  length?  ^ 

A.  Jesus,  the  Lord  thy  rigbteousneas, 
Will  be  the  Lord  thy  strength. 

Q.  May'nt  hellish  hosts,  and  wicked  foesr 

Sore  by  the  way  molest? 
A.  Christ  is  a  friend  to  bridle  those, 

And  give  the  weary  rest. 

Q.  May 'nt  guilty  conscience  loudly  braodj 

Aiwl  all  my  comfort  chase? 
A.  Christ  with  a  pardon  in  his  hand 

Can  show  his  smiling  face. 

Q.  But  how  can  divine  mercy  vent, 

Where  sins  are  great  and  throng? 
A,  Christ  is  the  channel  with  descent 

That  mercy  runs  along. 

Q.  But  may  not  justice  interpose, 

And  stand  in  mercy's  way? 
A.  Jesus  did  all  the  debt  thou  ouea 

To  divine  justice  pay. 


35-1  OOSPEL   SONNETS,.  PART    vf: 

Q.  Where  eball  mine  eyes  the  pardon  spy^ 

Unto  ray  saving  good? 
A.  In  Christ's  free  pronuse  see  it  lie. 

In  his  atoning  blood. 

Q.  What  ground  have  I  to  trust  and  say^ 

The  promise  is  not  vain? 
J..  In  Christ  the  promises  are  Yea, 

In  him  they  are  Amen. 

Qt  But  whorr  is  Christ  himself,  O  whe^e^ 

With  promises  so  sweet? 
A.  Christ's  in  the  promises,  and  there 

Thy  faith  and  he  niay  meet, 

Q.  Is  Christ  in  them,  and  they  in  Christ? 

How  shall  I  this  descry? 
A.  His  blood  and  S|)irit  therein  list 

To  seal  and  to  apply, 

Q.  *Gainst  legal  fiery  threats  of  wratb^ 

Pray,  what  defence  is  best? 
A.  Christ's  full  obedience  ey'd  by  faith; 

There  should  the  guilty  rest, 

Q.  But  how  shall  faith  be  had?  Alas! 

I  find  1  can't  believe. 
A.  Christ  is  ihe  author  of  that  grace>. 

And  faith  is  his  to  give^ 

Q.  Ah!  when  may  faiihless  I  expect 

He'll  such  a  bliss  b{  (]\ieath? 
A.  He  vt-ill  of  unbelief  convict, 

And  pave  the  way  for  faith, 

Q.  Repentance  must  attend,  but  whencis 
Shall  I  this  grace  receive? 
^  A.  Christ  is  exalted  as  a  prince 

All  needful  grace  to  give. 

Q.  How  can  so  vile  a  lump  of  dust 

Heart-holiness  expect? 
A.  Christ  by  his  holy  Spirit  must 

Thig  gradual  change  effect- 


■*?»£nPo  XIIv  THE    BELLIEVEK's   PBINCII'UM.  ^5S 

Q.  How  shall  I  do  the  works  aright 

I'm  daily  bound  unto? 
A.  Christ  in  thee,  by  his  Spirit's  might, 

Woiks  both  to  will  and  do. 

Q.  How  shall  my  maladies  be  bcal'd, 

So  sore  molesting  me? 
A.  Christ  is  the  gr(!at  Physician  scal'd 

The  Lord  that  healeth  thee. 

^.  By  prayer  I  ought  to  seek  his  face, 

This  course  how  9!i;ill  1  drivel 
A.  'Tis  Christ  alone  that  has  the  grace 

And  sp'rit  of  prayer  to  give. 

"Q.  S;ilvation-M'ork  is  great  and  high, 

Alas!  what  shall  I  do? 
A.  Christ  as  the  Aljiha  thereof  eye, 

And  the  Omega  too. 

Q.  What  p'llar  then  is  most  secure 

To  build  my  hope  uppa? 
A.  Christ  only  the  founJation  sure.j 

The  living  corner  stone. 

^.  When  I'm  with  black  pollution  stain^'dl. 

How  shall  1  cleansed  be? 
A.  Christ  is  a  fountain  for  that  end 

Set  open  wide  for  thee. 

Q.  What  shall  I  do  when  plagues  abound^ 

With  sorrows,  grief^,  an<l  fears? 
A.  Christ  has  a  balsam  for  thy  wounds, 

A  bottle  for  thy  tears. 

Q.  But  is  Uiere  any  help  for  one 

That  utterly  is  lost? 
A.  Christ  saves  from  sin,  and  he  alone;, 

Ev'n  to  the  uttermost. 

4i.  But  where  shall  I  be  safe  at  last 

From  hell  and  endless  death? 
A.  Christ  is  a  refuge  from  tlie  blast 

Of  everlasting  wrath. 


Q.  But  mayn't  er'n  natural  death  to  me 

Become  a  dreadAii  thing? 
A.  Christ  by  his  death  in  love  io  thee 

Did  every  death  unstiog. 

^-  Why,  Sir,  is  Christ  the  whole  you  saj* 
No  answer  else  I  fiad.     *  '  ^ 

A.  Because,  were  Christ  our  all  away. 
There's  nothing  left  behind. 

<2-  How  can  he  ajiswer  every  case. 

And  help  in  every  thrall? 
A.  Because  he  is  the  Lord  of  grace, 

Jehovah,  all  in  all. 

Q.  How  is  he  present  to  supply. 

And  to  relieve  us  thus? 
A.  Becaase  his  glorious  jiame  is  nig&, 

Immaniue!,  God  with  us. 

Q^  Has  he  alone  all  power  to  save, 

is  nothing  left  to  man? 
A-  Yea,  without  Christ  we  nothing  have. 

Without  him  nothing  can. 

Q,  Mayn't  some  from  hence  tske  latitude 
And  room  their  lusts  to  please; 

II  Christ  do  ail,  then  very  good. 
Let  us  take  cainal  easel 

A.  Christ  wiU  in  flaming  vengeance  come. 

With  fury  in  his  face. 
To  damn  ijis  foes  that  dare  presume, 

And  thus  abuse  his  gra.ce- 


SeiCT-  IV.  Faith  and  Works  both  excluded  from  the  matler  of  jus- 
tification before  God,  that  ledemptioH  may  ap]>eair  to  be  oiily  m 
Christ. 

Who  dare  an  holy  God  address, 
With  an  unholy  righteousness? 
Who  can  endure  his  awful  probe» 
Without  perfection  for  their  robe? 


^TBCT,  IV.  THE    BELIEVER's    PRINCIPLES.  2^7 

None  could  his  great  tribunal  face, 
Were  faith  itself  their  fairest  dress: 
Faith  takes  the  robe,  but  never  brags 
Itself  has  aught  but  filthy  rags. 

JFaith  claims  no  share,  and  works  far  less. 
In  justice-pleasing  righteousness; 
The  servant  were  to  be  abhorr'd, 
Would  claim  the  glory  of  his  lord. 

Blasphemous  unbelief  may  claim 
The  praises  of  the  worthy  Lamb: 
But  faith  disciairaing  all  its  best, 
Not  on  itself,4)ut  Christ,  will  rest. 

I'm  sav'd  and  justifi'd  by  faith,  *" 

Which  yet  no  saving  value  hath; 
Nor  e'er  pretends  to  save  from  thrall 
But  in  its  object  has  its  all. 

'Tis  Christ  alone  saves  guilty  me, 
And  makes  my  right  to  life  so  free. 
That  in  himself  it  stands  alone: 
Faith  takes  the, right,  but  gives  me  none. 

I  dare  not  act  with  tJiis  intent, 
For  acts  of  mine  to  draw  the  rent; 
Nor  do  good  works  witjj  this  design. 
To  win  the  crown  bj  Works  of  mine. 

I'd  thus  the  pripmis'd  grace  forsake, 
Nor  Jesus  for  my  Saviour  take: 
Yea,  this  would  dreadfully  presume;' 
And  work  mine  own  eternal  doom. 

Presumption  cannot  rise  more  high, 
I'd  make  the  truth  of  God  a  lie. 
The  God  of  truth  a  liar  too! 
What  more  mischief  could  Satan  do! 

Why,  I'd  discredit  God's  record 
Concerning  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord, 
His  glorious  and  eternal  Sou, 
Whose  blood  has  life  eternal  v/on. 
22* 


2S8  60SPEL    SOTCNETS.  PABJT    VJ» 

In  him,  says  God,  this  life  I  give. 
In  him  shall  therefore  men  believe, 
My  gift  embracing  in  their  arms: 
None  shall  be  sav'd  on  other  terms. 

Vain  man  must  stoop  and  freely  take,, 
Or  else  embrace  a  burning  lake; 
Proud  nature  must  submit  to  grace,, 
And  to  the  divine  righteousness. 

In  vain  on  works  our  hope  is  built. 
Our  actions  nothing  are  but  guilt: 
The  best  obedience  of  our  own. 
Dare  not  appear  before  his  throne. 

What  finite  worm  can  bear  the  load. 
The  fury  of  an  angry  God? 
What  mortal  vigor  can    withstand 
The  vengeance  of  his  lifted  handl 

The  law  can  never  save  us  now. 
To  dainn  is  all  that  it  can  do. 
Heaven  casts  all  righteousness  of  Gur3; 
The  law  of  works  is  out,  of  doors. 

No  merit,  money,  more  or  less. 
Can  buy  the  gifts  of  righteousness. 
O  may  I  take  what  Heaven  does  givei 
Jehovah  help  me  to  believe; 

And  in  that  righteousness  to  trust. 
Which  only  makes  a  sinner  just. 
And  then,  the  truth  of  faith  to  prove,. 
Lord,  make  my  faith  to  work  by  love* 


CHAP.  II.  THE    BELIEVEK'^S    FKINCIFLES.  259 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    BBLIEVEK^S   PRINCIPLES,    CONCERNING    THE    LAW 
AND    GOSPEL™ 

PARTICULARLY, 

1.  The  Mystery,  1 

IVZhSIZT:  Of,h.W.nd  Gospel 

4.  The  Place  and  Station,  J 

Sect.  i.  The  Mystery  af  Law  and  Gospel. 

V        Though  law-commands   and  goapel-grace 
Agree  in  mutual  joint  embrace,* 
Yet  law  and  gospel  in   a  shock 
Can  never  draw  an  equal  yoke.'' 

The   law  of  works,  the   law  of  grace. 
Can't  stand   together   in    one   place; 
The   brighter  scene  destroys  the   dark, 
As  Dagon   fell    before   the    ark." 

a  Rom.  3:31.  Do  we  then   rrtake  void  the  law  thrcirjg^h  faith?  ' 
God  forbid;  yea,  we  establish  the  law.     Gal.  3:21.  Is  the  taw  then 
against  the  promises  of  God?     God  forbid:  for  if  there  had  been  a 
law  given  which  could  have  given  life,  verily  righteousness  should 
have  been  by  the  law. 

b  Psalm  130:3,4.  If  thou  Lord  should  mark  iniquities,  O  Lord,, 
who  shall  stand?  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou 
inayest  be  feared.  Ver.  7,8.  Let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord:  for  with 
the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with  him  is  plenteous  redemption. 
And  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from  all  his  iniquities.  And  143:2. 
O  Lord,  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant:  for  in  thy 
sight,  shall  no  man  living  be  justified.  Ver.  8.  Cause  me  to  hear 
thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  for  in  thee  do  I  trust:  cause 
jnc  to  know  the  way  wherein  I  should  walk,  for  I  lift  up  my  soul 
anto  thee. 

c  Rom.  16:14,15.  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you;  for  ye 
are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  What  then?"  shall  we  sin, 
because  we  are  not  undier  the  law,  but  under  grace?  God  forbid. 
Chapter  7:4,5,6.  Wherefore,  my  brethren,  ye  also  are  become  dead 
to  the  law  by  the  body  of  Christ;  that  ye  should  be  married  to 
another,  even  to  him  who  is  raised  from  the  dead,  that  we  should 
bring  forth  fruit  nnfo  God.  For  when  we  were  in  the  flesh,  the 
motions  of  sins  which  were  by  the  law  did  work  in  our  members 


260  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  VI. 

They  harmonize  like  marri'd  pairs,* 
Yet  are   at  odds,   and   keep   not   squares:^ 
As    mercy   stands  from  merit   far, 
Tiie   letter   and    the    spirit  jar.'" 

The   law  does  gospel  comforts   harm, 
The  gospel   breaks  the   legal  arai;? 
Yet  both  exalt  each  other's  horn, 
And  garlands  bring  their  head  to  adorn,^ 

I  through   the    law  am   dead   to   it, 
To  legal  works  and   self  conceit;' 

to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  death.  But  now  we  are  delivered  from 
tlie  law,  that  being  dead,  wherein  we  were  held;  that  we  should 
serve  in  newness  of  spirit,  and  not  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter. 
2  Corinthians  3:  7 — 10.  But  if  the  ministration  of  death,  written 
and  engraven  in  stones,  was  glorious,  so  that  the  children  of  Israel 
could  not  behold  the  face  of  Moses,  for  the  glory  of  his  coun- 
tenance, whicli  glory  was  to  be  done  away;  how  shall  not  the 
ministration  of  tlie  Spirit,  be  rather  glorious?  For  if  the  ministra- 
tion of  condenmation  be  glory,  much  more  doth  the  ministration 
of  righteousness  exceed  in  glory.  For  even  that  which  was  made 
glorious,  hath  no  glory  in  this  respect,  by  reason  of  the  glory  that 
excelleth. 

d  Gal.  3: 24.  Wherefore  the  law  was  our  schoolmaster  to  bring 
us  unto  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified  by  faith. 

e  Rom.  11:6;  And  if  (election  be)  by  grace,  then  is  it  no  more 
of  works:  otherwise  grace  is  no  more  grace.  But  if  it  be  of 
works,  then  it  is  no  more  grace:  otherwise  work  is  no  more 
work. 

f  2  Cor.  3:  6.  The  letter  kiileth,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life, 

g  Heb.  2:15.  And  deliver  them  who  through  fear  of  death  were 
all  their  life  time  subject  to  bondage.  Pliil.  3:7,8,9.  But  what 
things  were  gain  to  me,  those  I  counted  loss  for  Clirist.  Yea, 
doubtless,  and  I  count  all  things  but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord;  for  whom  I  have  suffered  the 
loss  of  all  things,  and  do  count  them  but  dung,  that  I  may  win 
Christ,  and  be  found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own  righteousness, 
which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ, 
the  righteousness  whicli  is  of  God  by  faith. 

h  Gal.  2:19.  For  I  through  the  law  am  dead  to  the  law,  that  I 
might  live  unto  God. 

i  Rom.  7:  6.  But  now  we  are  delivered  from  the  law,  that  being 
dead  wherein  we  were  held,  that  we  sliould  serve  in  newness  of 
spii-it,  and  not  in  the  oldness  of  the  letter,     Vcr.  9.  For  I  was  alive 


CHAP.    II.  THE    believer's    PRINCIPLES.  262 

Yet,  lo!  thiough  gospel  grace  I  live, 
And  to  the  law  due  honor  give.-* 

The  law  great  room  for  boasting  makes, 
But  grace  my  pride  and  boasting  breaks;*^ 
Yet  all  my  boasts  the  law  do  kill,i 
And  grace  makes  room  to  boast  my  fill.™ 

The  gospel  makes  me  keep  the  law" 
Yet  from  its  painful   service  draw;" 
It  does  all   law  demands  fulfil, p 
Yet  makes  them  wholly   void  and  null.i 

without  the  law  once;  but  when  the  commandment  came,  sin  re- 
vived, and  I  died. 

j  Rom.  7:4.  Wherefore, my  brethren,  ye  also  are  become  dead  to 
the  law  by  the  body  of  Christ;  that  ye  should  be  married  to  an- 
otJier,  eron  to  him  who  is  raised  from  the  dead,  that  we  should 
bring  forth  fruit  unto  God.  And  10:4.  Christ  is  the  end  of  the 
law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth. 

k  Rom.  3:27.  Where  is  boasting  then?  It  is  excluded.  By  what 
law?  of  works?  Nay;  but  by  the  law  of  faith. 

1  Rom.  3:  19.  Now  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the  law 
saith,  it  saith  to  them  who  arc  under  the  law;  tliat  every  mouth 
may  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may  become  guilty  before- 
God. 

m  1  Cor.  1:29,30,31.  That  no  flesh  should  glory  in  his  presence^ 
But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  us 
wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemption: 
that  according  as  it  is  written,  He  that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in 
the  Lord. 

n  Titus  2:11,12.  For  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation 
hath  appeared  to  all  men;  teaching  us,  that  denying  ungodliness 
and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly^ 
in  this  present  world. 

o  Gal.  5:1.  Standfast  therefoie  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ 
hath  made  us  free,  and  be  not  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of 
bondage. 

p  Rom.  8:  3,4.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was 
weak  through  the  flesh,  God  did,  sending  his  own  Son,  in  the  like- 
ness of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh;  that  the 
righteousness  of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  af- 
ter the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit. 

q  Rom.  6:14.  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you;  for  ye  are 
not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  Gal.  4:4,5.  But  when  the 
fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son  made  of  a  wo- 
man, made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  tliem  that  were  under  the  law- 


262  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAET  TI. 

The  gospel  gives  me  no  command,'' 
Yet  by  obeying  it  I    stand,'  , 

To  strict  obedience  though  it  call,* 
Does  bind  to  none,  but   promise  all." 

The  law  does  strict  commandment  give 
That  I  the  gospel  news  believe;'^ 
But  yet  it  teaches  no  such    thing, 
Nor  e'er  could  gospel  tidings  bring.*" 

When  I  the  gospel  truth  believe, 
Obedience  to  the  law  I  give,^ 
And  when  I  don't  the  law*   observe, 
I  from  the  gospel  method  swerve. ^ 

r  Gal.  3:8.  And  the  scripture  foreseeing-  that  God  would  justify 
the  Heathen  through  faith  preached  before  the  gospel  unto  Abra- 
ham, saying,  In  thee  shall  all  nations  be  blessed. 

e  Mark  16:16.  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved. 

t  1  Thess.  1:7,8.  The  Lord  Jesui  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven, 
with  his  mighty  angels,  in  flaming  fire,  taking  vengeance  on  them 
that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

u  John  3:17.  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn 
the  world;  but  that  the  world  through  him  might  be  saved.  And 
12:47.  And  if  any  man  hear  my  words  and  believe  not,  I  judge 
him  not;  for  I  came  not  to  judge  the  world,  but  to  save  the  world. 
Heb.  8: 10,11,12.  For  this  is  tlie  covenant  that  I  will  make  with  the 
house  of  Israel  after  those  days,  saith  the  Lord;  I  will  put  my  laws 
into  their  mind,  and  write  them  in  their  hearts:  and  I  will  be  to 
them  a  God,  and  they  shall  be  to  me  a  people.  And  tJiey  shall  not 
teach  every  man  his  neigiibor,  and  every  man  his  brother,  saying, 
Know  the  Lord;  for  all  shall  know  me  from  the  least  to  the  great- 
est.  For  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteousness,  and  their  sins 
and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more. 

v  John  3:18.  He  that  believeth  on  him  is  not  condemned;  but  he 
that  believeth  not  is  condemned  already,  because  he  hath  not  be- 
lieved in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God. 

w  Rom.  10:5.  For  Moses  describeth  the  righteousness  which 
is  of  the  law.  That  the  man  which  doeth  these  things  shall  live  by 
them.  And  3:l9.  Now  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the 
law  saith,  it  saith  to  them  who  are  under  the  law:  that  every 
mouth  may  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may  become  guilty  be- 
fore God. 

X  John  3:18.  He  that  believeth  on  him  is  not  condemned. 

*  Viz.  As  it  is  a  rule. 

y  Titus  2:11,12,  See  letter  n  forecited. 


OHAP.    II.  THE   believer's    PRINCIPES.  8^8 

Yet,  if  I  do  the  law  obey,t 
I  am  not  in  the  gospel   way,* 
Which  does  no  new  obedience  draw," 
Yet  is  the  gospel  no  new  law.** 

As  precepts  to  the  law  belong, 
Yet  in  the  gospel  field  are  throng. *= 
Curs'd  every  gospel  slighter  is,'* 
Yet  all  its  office  is  to  bless." 

It  from  the  law  has  power  to  kill,' 
Yet  saving  does  its  power  fulfil. s 

t  Viz,  As  it  is  a  covenant. 

z  Gal  5:3,4.  For  I  testify  again  to  every  man  that  is  circumcised, 
that  he  is  a  debtor  to  do  the  whole  law.  Christ  is  become  of  no 
effect  unto  you,  whosoever  of  you  are  justified  by  the  law;  ye  are 
fallen  from  grace. 

a  Rom.  16:25,25. — The  mystery  which  was  kept  secret  since 
the  world  began — now  is  made  manliest,  and  by  tlie  scriptures  of 
the  prophets,  according  to  the  coininandment  of  the  everlasting 
God,  made  known  to  all  nations  for  the  obedience  of  faith, 

b  Gal.  3:21.  Is  the  law  then  against  the  promises  of  God!  God 
forbid:  for  i/tliere  had  been  a  law  given  which  could  have  given 
liio,  verily  righteousness  should  have  been  by  the  law. 

c  Matth.  5:17 — IB.  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the  law 
or  the  prophets:  I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  For  verily 
I  say  unto  you,  Till  heaven  and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle 
shall  in  no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled,  &.c.  Psalm 
11!):  96.  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection;  but  thy  command- 
ment is  exceeding  broad. 

d  Heb.  10:26 — 2.).  For  if  we  sin  wilfully  after  that  we  have  re- 
ceived the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  remaincth  no  more  sacri- 
fice for  sins,  bul  a  certain  learlul  looking  for  of  judgment  and  fiery 
indignation,  which  shall  devour  the  adversaries.  He  that  despised 
Moses'  law,  died  witliout  mercy,  under  two  or  three  witnesses:  of 
how  much  sorer  punishment,  suppose  ye,  shall  he  be  thought  wor- 
thy, who  hath  trodden  under  toot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  counted 
the  blood  of  the  covenant  wherewith  he  was  sanctified,  an  unlioly 
thing,  and  hath  done  despite  unto  the  Spirit  of  grace?  Chap.  12:25. 
See  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that  speaketh;  tor  if  they  escaped  not 
who  refused  liim  that  spake  on  earth,  much  more  shall  not  we  es- 
cape, if  we  turn  away  from  him  that  speaketh  from  heaven. 

e  Rorn.  15:2 ).  And  I  am  sure  that  when  I  come  unto  you,  I  shall 
como  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  ot  Christ.  And  3: 
26.  Unto  you  first,  God  having  raised  up  his  Son  Jesus,  sent  him  to 
Wesa  you,  in  turning  away  every  one  of  you  from  his  iniquities. 


864  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PA.RT   VI. 

No  savor  but  of  life  it  hath,'' 
Yet  most  the  savor  is  of  death.' 

Weakness  perfection  doth  exclude, 
The  law  is  perfect,  just,  and  good;" 
Yet  can  it  nothing  perfect  make, 
But  all  the  comers  to  it  break. ^ 

Strength  to  the  gospel  does  belong, 
Mighty  through  God  it  is,  and  strong:" 
It  to  the  law  does  strength  emit, 
Yet  'tis  the  law  gives  strength  to  it. 

f  John  3:18. — He  that  believth  not,  is  condemned  already,  be« 
cause  he  hath  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten  Son 
of  God.  Mark  16:16.  He  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned. 
Heb.  2: 3.  How  shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation? 

g  Eph.  1:13.  In  Christ  ye  also  trusted  after  that  ye  heard  the 
word  of  truth,  the  gospel  of  your  salvation.  1  Tim.  1:15.  This  is 
a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus 
came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  the  chief. 

h  Phil.  2: 16.  Holding  forth  the  word  of  life,  &c.  2  Tim.  1:1. 
Paul  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  will  of  God,  according  to 
the  promise  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Ver.  10 — Our  Sa* 
viour  Jesus  Christ  hath  abolished  death— and  hath  brought  life 
and  immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel. 

i  2  Cor.  2:26.  To  the  one  were  the  savor  of  death  unto  death, 
&c. 

k  Psalm  119:96.  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection;  but  thy 
commandment  is  exceeding  broad.  Rom.  7: 12.  Wherefore  the 
law  is  holy;  and  the  commandment  holy,  and  just,  and  good. 
Heb.  7:19.  For  the  law  made  nothing  perfect,  but  the  bringing  in 
of  a  better  hope  did;  by  the  which  we  draw  nigh  unto  God. 

1  Heb.  7:19.  See  letter  k.  Chap.  10:1.  For  the  law  having  a 
shadow  of  good  things  to  come;  and  not  the  very  image  of  the 
things,  can  never,  with  those  sacrifices  which  they  offered  year  by 
year  continually,  make  the  comers  thereunto  perfect. 

m  Rom.  1:16.  For  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ;  for 
it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that  believeth, 
to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek.  2  Cor.  10:4,.5.  For  the 
weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God, 
to  the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds:  casting  down  imaginations 
and  every  high  thing  that  exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of 
God  and  bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of 
Chicist. 


scHAP.  n.  THE  believer's  peinciples.  265 

The  gospel  gives  the  law,  I  see, 
Sufficient  strength  to  justify;" 
Yet.  may  1  say,  in  truth  it  is 
Tiie  law  that  gives  the  gospel  this;* 

For  as  the  law  no  sinner  clears,  • 

But  who  the  gxjspel  gamient  wears; 
So  none  are  justih'd  by  grace, 
Unless  the  law  demands  have  place.'" 

Again  the  law,  which  yet  seems  worse, 
Gives  gospel  news  condemning  forcc;'» 
Yet  they  are  news  that  never  can, 
Nor  never  will  condemn  a  man."" 

n  Rom.  8:1.  Tliere  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
■Wiiicli  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  tlie  flesh,  but  after 
the  Spifit.  Vcr.  3,4.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was 
weak  through  the  flesh,  God  did,  sending-  his  own  Son,  in  tlie  like- 
ness of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh;  that 
the  riglitcousness  of  tiie  law  might  be  fulfiUcd  in  us,  who  walk  not 
after  llie  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit. 

o  Rom.  3:31.  Do  we  tlien  make  void  the  law  through  faith? 
God  forbid;  3'ea,  we  establish  the  law.  Chap.  10:4.  For  Christ  is 
the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  belie  veth. 

p  Rom.  3:11).23.  Now  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the  law 
saith,  it  saith  to  tlieui  who  are  under  the  law;  that  every  mouth 
may  be  stojiped,  and  ail  flio  world  may  become  guilty  before  God. 
Therefore  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  there  shall  no  flesh  be  justified 
in  his  siglit;  for  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin.  But  now  the 
righteousness  of  God  without  the  law  is  manifested,  beirg  wit- 
nessed by  tiie  law  and  tliC  prophets;  even  the  righteousness  of 
God  winch  is  by  faith  of  .Tesus  Christ  unto  all,  and  upon  all  them 
that  believe;  for  there  is  no  diflerence.  Chap.  5:19.  By  the  obe- 
dience of  one  shall  many  be  made  righteous.  Ver.  21.  Grace 
reigns  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord. 

q  John  3:18:  He  that  belicveth  on  him  is  not  condemned;  but 
he  that  bclieveth  not,  is  condemned  already,  because  he  hath  not 
believed  iu  the  name  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God. 

r  Luke  2:10, 11.  And  the  angel  said  unto  them  (the  shepherds,) 
Fear  not;  for  behold  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which 
shall  be  to  all  ))cople.  For  unto  you  is  born  this  day  in  the  city 
of  David,  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord.  John  3:17.  For 
God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world,  to  condemn  the  world;  but 
that  the  world  through  him  might  be  saved.  Chap.  12:47,  And 
23 


266  ©OSPEL   SONNETS.  PART   VI. 

Dread  threat'nings  to  the  law  pertain,* 
Not  to  the  gospel's  golden  chain:' 
Yet  all   law  threats  and  Sinai's  ire 
To  gospel  grace  are  walls  of  fire," 

The  righteous  law  assaileth  none 
Of  Adam's  guilty  race,  sa^e  one;'^ 
Who,  being  guilty,  for  this  cause 
By  God's  just  law  condemned  was.'' 

Yet  free  of  guilt  it  did  him  see; 
Hence  fully  clear'd,  and  set  him  free.* 

if  any  niai)  hear  my  words,  and  believe  not,  I  judg-e  him    not:  for 
I  came  not  to  judge  the  world,  but  to  save  the  world. 

s  GaL  3:1U.  For  as  many  as  are  of  the  works  of  the  law,  are  un- 
der the  cur.se;  tor  it  is  written,  Curyed  is  every  one  that  continu- 
eth  not  u)  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  book,  of  the  law  to  do 
fhem« 

t  Acts  13: 26.  Men  and  brethren,  children  of  the  stock  of  Abra- 
ham, and  whosoever  among  you  feareth  God,  to  you  is  the  word  of 
this  salvation  sent. 

u  Mark  16:16.  He  that  beheveth  not,  shall  be  damned.  Heb 
2:3.  How  shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation?  Chap 
10:26—99.  See  letter  d  forecited. 

V  Rom.  5:19.  For  as  by  one  man's  disobedience  many  were 
made  shiners:  so  by  tlie  obedience  of  one  siiall  many  be  made 
righteous.  JoJin  17:  4,  I  have  glorified  thee  on  the  earth:  I  have 
finished  the  work  which  thou  gavest  me  to  do. 

w  Isa.  .53:6.  The  Iiord  hath  lard  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all. 
Gal.  3:13.  Clirist  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  be- 
ing made  a  curse  for  us :  for  it  is  written.  Cursed  is  every  one  that 
hangeth  on  a  tree. 

X  Heb.  7;26.  For  such  an  high  priest  became  us,  Avho  is  holy, 
harmlcs--,  uiidofiled,  separate  from  sinners,  and  made  higher  than 
the  heavens.  Dan.  9:24.  Seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy 
people,  and  upon  thy  holy  city,  to  fink«h  the  transgression,  and  to 
make  an  end  of  sins,  and  lo  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and 
to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,  and  to  seal  up  the  vision  and 
prophooj^  and  to  anoint  the  most  holy.  1  Tim.  3:16.  And  without 
controvers}',  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness:  God  was  mauite.st 
in  the  flesh,  justified  in  the  Spirit,  seen  oi' angels,. preached  ante  the 
Gentile.s,  believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory.  Ro»u 
2:13.  For  not  the  hearers  of  the  law  are  just  before  God,  but  th'^ 
doers  of  the  law  shall  be  justified.  Isa.  .50:8.  He  is  near  that  jun- 
titieth  ms,  who  will  contend  with  me?  let  us  stand  together,,  who 
AS  mine  adversary?  let  him  come  near  to  me. 


CHAP.  II.  THE   believer's    PRfNOrPLEa. 

Yet  had  not  guilt  his  soul  invoIvM, 
By  law  he  could  not  been  absolv'd.'' 

But  he  withal  coRdemn'd  and  spoil'd 
The  law  of  works,  which   him  assail'd;* 
And  now  the  law  is  (in  these  viewiv) 
The  marrow  of  the  gospel   news.* 

The  law  can  justify  no  man 
That  is  a  sinner,''  yet  it  can 
Thus  favor  sinful   men,  and   free 
The  chief  of  sinners,  guilty  ine:'^ 

y  2Cor.  5;21,  God  hath  made  Christ  to  be  sin  lor  ns,  who  linew 
Tio  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  tiie  rijrhteoasness  of  God  in  him, 
1  Pet.  3:lfc*.  Ciirist  hath  once 'buffered  for  sins,  the  just  for  the  un- 
just,  (tliat  lie  miglit  bring  us  to  God)  being  put  to  death  in  the 
flesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit, 

zCol,  2:14,15.  Blotting  out  the  hand  writhig  of  ordinances  that 
was  against  us,  Tv-hich  was  contrary  to  us,  and  toolt  it  out  of  the 
way,  nailing  it  to  his  cross,  and  liaving  spoiled  principalitie;-;  anii 
powers, "he  made  a  show  of  them  openly,  triumphing  over  them  in 
it.  Rom.  8:3.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak 
through  the  flesh,  God  did,  sending  his  own  Son,  in  the  likeness  of 
sinful  flesh,^  and  for  sin  condeumed  sin  in  tlie  flesh. 

aRoin.  10:4  For  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness, 
to  every  one  that  bclicveth.  Isa.  4;^;  24  Surely  shall  one  say,  In 
the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strengtli.  Jer.  23:6.  In  hi« 
days  Judah  shall  be  saved,  and  Israel  shall  dwell  safely;  and  this 
is  his  name  whereby  he  shall  be  called,  THE  LORD  OUR  RIGH- 
TEOUSNESS. 

b  Rom.  3: 19,20.  Now  we  knew  that  wiiat  things  soever  the 
law  saith,  it  saith  to  them  who  are  under  the  law,  that  every  mouth 
may  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may  become  guilty  beibre  God. 
Therefore  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  there  shall  no  flesh  be  justified 
in  his  sight;  for  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin. 

e  The  law  of  works,  as  fulfilled  by  Christ,  can  and  does  so, 
Rom.  8:  3.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak 
tlu'ough  the  flesh,  God  sending  his  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sin- 
ful flesli,  and  for  sin,  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh:  tliat  the  righte- 
ousness of  the  law  miglit  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the 
flesh,  but  aiter  the  Sjiirit.  Ver.  33,34.  Who  shall  lay  any  thing 
to  the  charge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God  that  justifieth;  who  is  he 
that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risera 
again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  in- 
tercession lor  us. 


268  eospEi  so?f]VET9.  part  vu 

The  gospel  too  acquitted  none 
That  have  not  put  perfection  on/ 
And  yet  it  cleareth  none,  I  grant. 
But  those  who  all  perfection  want." 

Those  that  with  gospel  clearance  meet,. 
Must  by   the  law  be  found  complete;' 
Yet  never  could,  again   I  grajit^ 
The  gospel  justify  a  saint.s 

All  perfect  persons  it  cmitrols,'* 
And  justifies  ungodly  souls;' 

d  Rom.  3:21,22.  But  now  the  righteousness  of  God  without  the 
law  is  manifested,  being  witnessed  by  the  law  and  tlie  proplieti*;. 
even  the  ris^hteousness  of  God  which  is  by  faith  of  Jcsns  Christ 
unto  all,  and  ujion  all  them  that  believe,  for  there  is  no  difference.. 

e  Rom.  4:5.  To  him  that  worketh  not,  but  belie^eth  on  him  that 
justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  rigliteousness. 

f  1  Cor.  1:30.  But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  .Icsus,  who  of  God  i» 
made  nnto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and 
redemption.  Col.  2: 10.  And  ye  are  complete  in  Mm,  which  is  the 
head  of  all  princijiality  and  power. 

g  Matth.  i);  13 — I  am  not  come  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners 
to  repentance.  Rom.  3: 10.  There  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one. 
Chap.  9: 30,31,32.  What  shall  we  say  thcnf  That  tlie  Gentiles 
which  followed  not  after  righteousness,  hare  attained  to  righteous- 
ness, even  the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith;  but  Israel  which 
followed  after  the  law  of  righteousness,  hath  not  attained  to  the 
law  of  righteousness.  Wherefore?  because  they  sought  it  not  by 
faith,  but  as  it  were  by  the  works  of  the  law.  Chap.  10:3.  Israel 
being  ignorant  of  God's  righteousness,  and  going  about  to  establisii 
their  own  righteousness,  have  not  submitted  themscbes  unto  the 
righteousness  of  God.  1  Tim.  1:1.5.  This  is  a  faithfvil  saying,  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners;  of  whom  I  am  chief. 

h  Matth,  21:31.  Jesus  saith  unto  them,  (tiie  Pharisees)  Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  that  the  publicans  and  the  harlots  go  into  the  king- 
dom of  God  before  ^ou.  Luke  18:9 — 14.  And  Jesus  spake  this 
parable  unto  certain  which  trusted  in  tbemselves  that  they  were 
riffhteous,  and  despised  others:  Two  men  went  np  into  the  temple 
to  pray;  the  one  a  Pharisee,  and  the  other  a  Publican.  The  Piiar- 
isee  stood  and  prayed  tbus  with  himself:  God,  I  thank  thee  that  I 
am  not  as  other  men  are,  extortioners,  vrnjust,  adulterers,  or  even 
as  this  publican.  I  fast  twice  in  the  week,  I  give  titJies  of  all  that 
I  possess.  And  the  publican  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  up  so 
much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  hb  breast,  sajing» 


■€HAP.  11.  THE   BEMEVaiR'e   PEINCSPLBSo 

Yet  still  no  man  its  grace  partakes, 
But  whom  it  truly  godly  makes.J 

The  law  withstands  the  gospel  path,* 
Which  yet  its  approbation  hath;^ 
The  gospel  thwarts  the  legal  way,™ 
Yet  will  approve  the  law  for  aye.* 

God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.  I  tell  you  this  man  went  down  t© 
his  house  justified  rather  than  the  otlier;  for  every  one  that  exaltetb 
himself,  shall  be  abased;  and  he  that  humbleth  himself,  shall  be  ex- 
alted, Ver.  21,22.  And  he  (the  ruler)  said.  All  these  have  I  kept 
from  my  youth  up.  Now  when  Jesins  heard  these  things,  he  said 
iinto  him,  Yet  lackest  thou  one  thing-;  sell  all  that  thou  hast,  and 
-distribute  unto  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven, 
and  come,  follow  me. 

i  Rom.  4:5,6.  To  him  that  workelh  not,  but  believeth  on  him  that 
justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  righteousness.  Even 
as  David  also  describeth  the  blessedness  of  the  man  unto  whom 
God  imputeth  righteousness  without  works. 

j  Tit.  2:11 — -14.  The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation,  hath 
appeared  to  all  men;  teaching  us,  that  denying  ungodliness,  and 
v/orldly  lusts,  we  should  live  sober!)',  righteously  and  godly  in  this 
present  world;  looking  for  that  hloHsed  hope,  and  the  glorious  ap- 
pearing of  the  great  God,  even  oar  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  who  gave 
himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and 
purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 
Chap.  3: 4,5.  After  that  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our  Saviour 
toward  man  appeared,  not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we 
have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing 
of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ver,  3.  This  is 
a  faithful  saying,  and  these  things  I  will  that  thou  affirm  constant- 
ly, that  they  which  have  believed  in  God,  might  be  careful  to 
maintain  good  works:  these  things  are  good  and  profitable  unt© 
men, 

k  1  Cor.  15:56. — The  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  Rom.  6: 14. 
Sin  shall  not^'have  dominion  over  you;  for  ye  are  not  under  the  law, 
but  under  grace.  Chap.  10:3.  Israel  being  ignorant  of  God's 
righteousness,  have  not  submitted  themselves  unto  the  righteous- 
ness of  God. 

I  Isa.  42:21.  The  Lord  is  well  pleased  for  his  righteousness' 
sake;  he  will  magnify  the  law,  and  make  it  honorable.  Matth, 
3:17.  Audio,  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  This  is  my  beloved  Son, 
iu  whom  I  am  well  pleased. 

m  Rom.  9:31,32,33.  But  Israel   which  followed  after  the  law 

of  righteousness,  hath  not  attained  to  the  law  of  righteousnees. 

Wherefore?  Because  they  sought  it  not  by  faith,  bat  as  it  were  by 

tlie  works  of  the  law;  for  they  stumbled  at  U»at  stuipbling  stono^ 

23* 


270  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART  VI. 

Hence  though  the  gospel's  comely  frame 
Doth  openly  the  law  condemn:" 
Yet  they  are  blind  who  never  saw 
The  gospel  justify   the  law.? 

Thus  gospel  grace,  and  law  commands^ 
Both  bind  and  loose  each  other's  hands: 
They  can't  agree  on  any  terms, i 
Yet  hug  each  other  in  their  arms."" 

Those  that  divide  them  cannot  be 
The  friends  of  truth  and   verity;' 

as  it  is  written,  Beliold  I  lay  in  ZicHi  a  stumblinjr  stone,  and  a  rock 
of  offence;  and  wliosoever  believcth  on  him  shall  not,  be  ashamed. 

n  Rom.  7  :7.  What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  the  law  sin?  God  for- 
bid. Nay,  I  had  not  known  sin  but  by  {he  law;  for  I  had  not 
known  lust,  except  the  law  had  said,  Thou  shalt  not  covet.  Ver.  10. 
And  the  commandment  which,  was  Ordained  to  life,  I  found  to  be 
unto  death.  Ver.  12.  Wherefore  the  law  is  holy;  and  the  com- 
mandmeul,  holy,  and  just,  and  good. 

o  Rom.  5:5 — 9.  For  Moses  doscribeth  the  righteousness  which 
is  of  the  law,  that  the  man  which  doetli  these  things,  shall  live  by 
them.  But  the  righteousness  wliicli  is  of  faith  spcaketli  on  this 
wise.  Say  not  in  thine  heart.  Who  sJiali  ascend  into  heaven?  (that 
is,  to  bring  down  C'hrist  from  above:)  or,  who  shall  descend  into 
the  dee])?  (tliat  is  to  bring  up  Ciirist  again  from  the  dead.)  But 
wiiat  saith  it?  The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth,  and  in 
thy  heart;  that  is,  the  word  of  faith  wliicli  we  preach.  That  if  thou 
shalt  confess  with  tliy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  shalt  believe 
in  thine  heart  that  God  hath  raised  him  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt 
be  saved. 

p  Rom.  .3:  .31.  Do  we  then  make  void  the  law  through  faith?  God 
forbid :  yea,  we  establish  the  law. 

q  Gal.  4:21J26.  Tell  me,  ye  that  desire  to  be  under  the  law,  do 
ye  not  hear  the  law?  For  it  is  written,  that  Abraliam  had  two 
sons;  the  one  by  a  bond-maid,  the  other  by  a  free  woman.  But  he 
who  was  of  the  bond-woman  was  born  after  the  flesh;  but  he  of  the 
free  woman  was  by  promise.  Which  things  are  an  allegory;  for 
those  are  the  two  covenants;  tiie  one  from  the  mount  Sinai,  which 
gendereth  to  bondage,  which  is  Agar.  For  tliis  Agar  is  mount 
Sinai  in  Arabia,  and  answereth  to  Jerusalem,  which  now  is,  and  is 
in  bondage  with  her  children.  But  Jerusalem  which  is  above  is 
free,  which  is  the  mother  of  us  all. 

r  Psalm  84:10.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  togetlier;  rigliteousness 
and  peace  have  kissed  each  other. 

s  Mat.  13:22.  Wu  unto  you.  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites; 


CHAP.  II.  THE    believer's    PRINCIPLES.  271 

Yet  those  that  dare  confound  the  two, 
Destroy  them  both,  and  gender  wo.* 

This  paradox  none  can  decypher, 
That  plough  not  with  the  gospel-heifer. 

for  ye  pay  tithe  of  mint,  and  anise,  and  cummin,  and  have  omitted 
the  weightier  matters  of  the  law,  judgment,  mercy,  and  faith;  these 
ouglit  ye  to  liave  done,  and  not  to  leave  the  other  undone.  Rom.  2: 
23.  Thou  that  makest  thy  boast  of  the  law,  through  breaking  the 
law  dishonorest  thou  God?  Ver.  25,26.  For  circumcision  verily 
profiteth  notliing,  if  thou  keep  the  law;  but  if  tliou  be  a  breaker  of 
the  law,  th}'  circumcision  is  made  uncircumcision.  Therefore,  if 
the  uncircumcision  keep  the  righteousness  of  the  law,  shall  not  his 
uncircumcision  be  counted  for  circumcision?  Matt.  19:  6.  What 
God  liath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put  asunder.  Chap.  3:15. 
And  Jesus  answering,  said  unto  him,  (Jolin,)  Suffer  it  to  be  so  now: 
for  thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness.  Then  he  suf- 
fered him.  Chap.  5: 17.  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the 
law  or  the  prophets:  I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  Ver, 
19,20.  Whosoever  therefore  sliall  break  one  of  these  least  com- 
mandments, and  shall  teach  men  so,  he  shall  be  called  the  least  in 
the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  whosoever  shall  do,  and  teach  them, 
the  same  shall  be  called  great  in  tlie  kingdom  of  heaven.  For  I 
say  unto  you.  That  except  your  righteousness,  shall  exceed  the 
righteousness  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  ye  shall  in  no  case  en- 
ter into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  1  John  5:6.  This  is  he  that  came 
by  water  and  blood,  even  Jesus  (.^hrist;  not  by  water  only,  but  by 
water  and  blood;  and  it  is  the  Spirit  that  beareth  witness,  because 
the  Spirit  is  truth. 

t  Gal.  1:6,7,8.  I  marvel  that  ye  are  so  soon  removed  from  him 
that  called  you  into  tlie  grace  of  Christ,  unto  another  gospel;  which 
is  not  another;  but  there  be  some  tliat  trouble  you,  and  which  per- 
vert the  gospel  of  Christ.  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from  hea- 
ven preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you,  than  that  which  we  have 
preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.  Zeph.  1:4 — I  will  cut  off 
— ver. 5 — them  that  worship,  and  that  swear  by  the  Lord,  and  that 
swear  by  Malcham.  Acts  15:7.  And  when  tJicre  had  been  much 
disputing,  Peter  rose  up  and  said  unto  them.  Men  and  brethren, 
ye  know  tliat  a  good  while  ago,  God  made  choice  among  us,  that 
tlie  Gentiles  by  njy  mouth  should  hear  the  word  of  the  gospel,  and 
believe.  Ver.  10,11.  Now  therefore,  why  tempt  ye  God  to  put  a 
yoke  upon  the  neck  of  the  disciples,  which  neither  our  fatliers  nor 
we  were  able  to  bear?  But  we  believe,  that  through  the  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  shall  be  saved,  even  as  they.  Gal.  5:1. 
Stand  fast  therefore  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  us 
free,  and  be  not  entangled  again  in  the  yoke  of  bondage.  Ver.  4. 
Christ  is  become  of  no  effect  unto  you,  whosoever  of  you  are  justi- 
fied by  the  law;  ye  are  fallen  from  grace.- 


272  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART.  VI. 

Sect.  ii.    The  difference  between  the  law  and  the  Gospel 

The  law,  supposing  I  have  all, 
Does  ever  for  perfection  call; 
The  gospel  suits  my  total  want, 
And  all  the  law  can  seek  does  grant. 

The  law  could  promise  life  to  me, 
If  my  obedience  perfect  be: 
But  grace  does  promise  life  upon 
My   Lord's  obedience  alone. 

The  law  says,  Do,  and  life  you'll  win: 
But  grace  says,  Live,  for  all  is  done; 
The  former  cannot  ease  my  grief, 
The  latter  yields  me  full  relief. 

By  law  convinc'd  of  sinful  breach, 
By  gospel  grace  I  comfort  reach: 
The  one  my  condemnation   bears, 
The  other  justifies  and  clears. 

The  law  shews  my  arrears  are  great, 
The  gospel   freely  pays  my  debt: 
The  first  does  me  the  bankrupt  curse, 
The  last  does  bless  and  fill  my  purse. 

The  law  will  not  abate  a  mite, 
The  gospel  all  the  sum  will  quite: 
There  God  in  threat'nings  is  array'd; 
But  here  in  promises  display'd. 

The  law  and  gospel  disagree. 
Like  Hagar,  Sarah,  bond  and  free: 
The  former's  Hagar's  servitude, 
The   latter  Sarah's  happy  brood. 

To  Sinai   black,  and  Zion  fair. 
The  word  does  law  and  grace  compare. 
Their  cursing  and  their  blessing  vie 
With  Ebal  and  Gerizzim  high. 

The  law  excludes  not  boasting  vain, 
But  rather  feeds  it  to  my  bane: 


p.  rr.  THE  believer's  principles.  273 

But  gospel  grace  allows  no  boasts, 
Save  in  the  King,  the  Lord  of"  hosts. 

The  law  still  irritates  my  sin. 
And  hardens  my  proud  heart  therein; 
But  grace's  melting  power  renc,ws, 
And  my  corruption  strong  subdues. 

The  law  with  thunder,  Sinai  like. 
Does  always  dread  and  terror  speak, 
The  gospel  makes  a  joyful  noise, 
And  charms  me  with  a  still,  calm  voice. 

The  legal  trumpet  war  proclaims. 
In  wrathful  threats,  and  fire,  and  flames: 
The  gospel   pipe,  a  peaceful  sound. 
Which  spreads  a  kindly  breath  around. 

The  law  is  weak   through  sinful   flesh, 

The  gospel  brings  recruits   afresh; 

l^he  first  a  killing  letter  wear's. 

The  last  a  quick'nrng  spirit   bears. 

The  law  that  seeks  perfection's  height, 
Yet  gives  no  strength   nor  offers  might; 
But  precious  gospel  tidings  glad, 
Declare  where  all  is  to  be  had. 

From  me  alone  the   law  does  crave, 
What  grace  aflirms  in  Christ   1   have: 
When  therefore  law  pursuits  enthrall, 
I  send  the  law  to  grace  for  all. 

The  law  bring-s  terrors  to  molest, 
The  gospel  gives  the  weary   rest: 
The  one  does  flags  of  death  display, 
The  other  shews  the  living  way. 

The  law  by  Mo^-es  was  exprest. 
The  glorious  gospel  came  by  Christ: 
The  first  dim  nature's  light  may  trace. 
The  last  is  only  known  by  grace. 

The  law  may  rouse  me  from   my  sloth 
To  faith  and  to  repentance  bolhi 


274  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PAET  VI. 

And  though  the  law  commandeth  each 
Yet  neither  of  them  can  it  teach, 

Nor  will  accept  for  current  coin 
The  duties  which  it  does  enjoin; 
h  seeks  all, .but  accepts  no  less 
Than  constant,  perfect  righteousness. 

The  gospel,  on  the  other  hand, 
Although   it  issue  no  command, 
But  strictly   view'd,  does  whole  consist. 
In  promises  and  offers  blest; 

Yet  does  it  many  duties  teach. 
Which  legal  light  could  never  reach: 
Thus  faith,  repentance,  and   the  like, 
And  fire  that  gospel  engines  strike. 

They  have  acceptance  here  through  grace, 
The  law  affords  them  no  such  place: 
Yet  still  they  come  through  both  their  hands 
Through  gospel  teaching,  law  commands. 

The  law's  a  house  of  bondage  sore, 

The  gospel  opes  the  prison  door: 

7'he  first  me  hamper'd  in  its  net, 

The  last  at  freedom  kindly  set. 

The  precept  craves,  the  gospel  gives; 
While  that  me   presses,  this  relieves; 
And  or  affords  the  strength  I  lack, 
Or  takes  the  burden  off  my  back. 

The  law  requires  on  pain  of  death; 
The  gospel  courts  with  loving  breath: 
W  liile  that  conveys  a  deadly  wound, 
This  makes  me  perfect,  whole,  and  sound. 

There  viewing  how  diseas'd   I  am, 
I  here  perceive  the  healing  balm: 
Alllicted  there  with  sense  of  need, 
But  here  refreshed  with  meet  remede. 

The  law's  a  charge  for  what  I  owe; 
The  gospel  my  discharge  to  show: 


CHAP.  11.  THE  believer's  pkinciples.  275 

Tlie  one  a  scene  of  fear  doth  ope; 
Tlie  other  is  the  door  of  hope. 

An  angry  God  the  law  reveal'd; 
The  gospel  shows  hitn  reconcil'd: 
l^y  that  I  know  he  was  displeas'd; 
Bv  this  I  see  his  wrath  appeas'd. 

The  law  thus  shows  the  divine  ire, 
And  notliing  but  consuming  lire. 
The  gospel   brings  the  olive   branch, 
And  blood  the  burning  fire  to  quench. 

Tlie  law  still  shows  a  fiery   face; 
The  gospel  shows  a  throne  of  grace: 
There  justice  rides  alone  in  state; 
But  here  she  takes  the  mercy  seat. 

IN    SUM. 

Lo!  in  the  law  Jehovah  dwells, 

But  Jesus  is  conceal'd ! 
Whereas  the  gospel's  nothing  else 

But  Jesus  Christ  revcul'd. 

Sect.  hi.     Tlie  harmony  betwixt  the  Law  and  the  Gospel 

The  law  's  a  tutor  mucli  in   vogue, 
To  gospel  grace  a  pedagogue; 
The  gospel  to  the  law  no  less 
Than  its  full  end  for  righteousness. 

Wiien  once  the  fiery  law  of  God 
Has  chas'd  me  to  the  gospel  road; 
Then   back  unto  the  holy  law 
Most  kindly  gospel  grace  will  draw. 

When  by  the  law  to  grace  I'm  srhool'ii; 
Grace  by  the  law  will  have  me  rul'd: 
Hence,  if  I  don't  the  law  obey, 
I  cannot  keep  the  gospel  way. 

When  I  the  gospel  news  believe, 
Obedience  to  the  law  I  give: 


276  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAKT  VI. 

And  that  both  in  its  fed'ral  dress, 
And  as  a  rule  of  holiness. 

Lo!  in  my  Head  I  render  all 
For  which  the  fiery  law  can  call; 
His  blood  unto  its  fire  was  fuel, 
His  Spirit  shapes  me  to  its  rule. 

When  law  and  gospel   kindly  meet, 
To  serve  each  other  both  unite: 
Sweet  promises,  and  stern  commands, 
Do  work  to  one  another's  hands. 

The  divine  law  demands  no  less 
Than  human  perfect  righteousness; 
The  gospel  gives  it  this  and   more, 
Ev'n  divine  righteousness  in  store. 

Whate'er  the  righteous  law  require, 
The  gospel  grants  its  whole  desire. 
Are  law  commands  exceeding  broad? 
So  is  the  righteousness  of  God. 

How  great  soe'er  the  legal  charge, 
The  gospel  payment's  equal  large: 
No  less  by  man  the  law  can   bray 
When  grace  provides  a  God  to  pay. 

The  law  makes  gospel  banquets  sweet; 
The  gospel  makes  the  law  complete: 
Law  suits  to  grace's  store  house  draw; 
Grace  decks  and  magnifies  the  law. 

Both  law  and  gospel  close  combinCj 
To  make  each  other's  lustre  shine: 
The  gospel  all  law  breakers  shames; 
The  law  all  gospel  slighters  damns. 

The  law  is  holy,  just,  and  good; 
All  this  the  gospel  seals  with  blood, 
And  clears  the  royal  law's  just  dues 
With  dearly  purchas'd  revenues. 

The  law  commands  me  to  believe; 
The  gospel  saving  faith  does  give; 


CHAP    n.  THE   BEUEVKR^S    PRINCIPUM.  877 

The  law  enjoins  me  to  repent; 
The  gospel  gives  my  tears  a  vent. 
What  in  the  gospel  mint  is  coinM, 
The  same  is  in  the  law  enjoin*d; 
Whatevei  gospel  tidings  teach^ 
The  law's  authority  cloth  reach. 
Here  join  the  law  and  gospel  hands. 
What  this  me  teaches  t^at  commands? 
What  virtuous  forms  the  gospel  please 
The  same  the  law  doth  authorize. 
And  thus  the  law  commandment  seals 
Whatever  gospel  grace  reveals: 
The  gospel  also  for  my  good 
Seals  all  the  law  demands  with  blood. 

The  law  most  perfect  still  remains. 
And  evVy  duty  full  contains: 
The  gospel  its  perfection  speaks, 
And  therefore  gives  whate'er  it  seeks. 

Next,  what  by  law  Vm  bound  unto. 
The  same  the  gospel  makes  me  do: 
What  preeeptively  that  can  crave. 
This  efft'ctively  can  engrave. 
All,  that  by  precepts  Heav'n  expects. 
Free  grace  by  promises  effects: 
To  what  the  law  by  fear  may  move. 
To  thai  the  gospel  leads  by  love. 
To  run,  to  work,  the  law  commands; 
Tl>e  gospel  gives  me  leet  and  hands: 
The  one  requires  that  I  obey; 
The  other  does  the  power  convey. 
What  in  the  law  has  duty's  place. 
The  gospel  changes  to  a  grace: 
Hence  legal  duties  therein  nam'd, 
Are  herein  gospel  graces  fam'd. 

The  precept  checks  me  when  I  stray; 
The  promise  holds  mc  in  the  way: 
That  shows  my  folly  when  I  roam, 
And  this  most  kindly  brings  me  home. 
24 


279F  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  PART    Yt. 

h^vf  threats  and  precepts  both,  I  see, 
With  gospel  promises  agree; 
They  to  the  gospel  are  a  fence, 
And  it  to  them  a  maintenance. 

The  law  will  justify  all  those 
Who  with  the  gospel  ransom  close; 
The  gospel  too  approve  for  aye 
All  those  that  do  the  law  obey. 

The  righteous  law  condemns  each  man, 
That  dare  reject  the  gospel  plan; 
The  holy  gospel  none  will  save, 
On  whom  it  won't  the  law  engrave. 

When  Christ  the  tree  of  life  I  climb, 
1  see  both  law  and  grace  in  him: 
In  him  the  law  its  end  does  gain; 
In  him  the  pioraise  is  Amen. 

The  law  makes  grace's  pasture  sweety 
Grace  makes  the  law  ray  sav'ry  meat; 
Yea,  sweeter  than  the  honey  comb, 
When  grace  and  mercy  bring  it  home- 

The  precepts  of  the  law  me  show 
What  fruits  of  gratitude  I  owe; 
But  gospel  grace  begets  the  brood, 
And  moves  me  to  the  gratitude. 

Law  terrors  pause  the  putrid  sore; 
And  gospel  grace  applies  the  cure; 
The  one  ploughs  up  the  fallow  ground. 
The  other  sows  the  seed  around. 

A  rigid  master  was  the  law, 
Demanding  brick,  denying  straw; 
But  when  with  gospel  tongue  it  sings^ 
It  bids  me  fly,  and  gives  me  wings. 


Both  law  and  gospel  close  unite, 
Are  seen  with  more  solace, 

Where  truth  and  mercy  kindly  meet. 
In  fair  Imraanuel's  face. 


CHAP.  IT.  THE    believer's    PBINCIPLEB.  1^79 


Sect.  iv.  The  proper  Place  and  Station  of  tho  Law  an«|  tkje 
Gospel. 

Note. — That  in  the  four  Ibllovi^injr  paragraphs,  as  well  as  in  tbft 
three  preceding-  sections,  by  Law,  is  mostly  understood  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Covenant  of  Works;  and  by  Gospel,  the  doctiioe  of 
the  Covenant  of  Grace. 

Paragraph  i.     The   Place  and   Station   of  Law   an^  Goept.i   in 
general. 

When  we   the   sacred   record    view, 
Or   divine    Test'ments  Old  and   New; 
The   matter  in    most    ptiges   fix'd 
Is   law  and  gospel   inteimix'd. 

Yet   few,   even   in   a   learned    age 
Can    so   resolve  the   sacred    page, 
As   to  discern   with   equal  eye, 
Where   law,  where  gospel  sever'd    lie. 

One   divine   text    with   douhle  clause 
May   speak  the   gospel's    voice  and    law's;* 
Hence   men   to   blend   them    both   are    apt, 
Should   in    one    sentence    both    be  wrapt. 

But  that  we   may   the    truth   pursue, 
And   give   both   law  and   grace    their   due, 
And   God  the  glory   there  display'd; 
The  foU'wing    rules   will   give   us   aid. 

*  Ex.  gr.  Lev.  20:7,8.  Sanctify  yourselves  therefore,  and  be  ye 
holy:  for  I  am  the  Lord  your  God.  And  ye  shall  keep  my  statutes, 
and  do  thera:  I  am  the  Lord  which  sanctify  you.  1  John  4:7. 
Beloved,  let  us  1-ove  one  another:  for  love  is  of  God;  and  every  on* 
that  lovcth,  is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  Rom.  5:2L  That 
as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even  so  might  grace  reign  throujrfa 
righteousness  unto  eternal  lile,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Chap. 
6:23.  For  the  wages  of  sin  is  death:  but  the  gift  of  Gofl  is  eternal 
life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Mark  16:  L*), 16.  And  he  said 
unto  them.  Go  ye  into  all  the  worlds  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creitture-  He  that  belie veth  and  s  baptized,  shall  be  saved;  but  h« 
that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned.  John  3: 18.  He  that  beli«v- 
€th  on  him,  is  not  condemned:  but  he  that  believeth  n'oit,  JB  con- 
demned already;  because  he  hath  not  believed  on  tlie  narac  «f  IIm: 
only  begotten  Son  of  God,  &.c. 


.i^- 


280  frOSPEL    aOJfJTETS.  VAUT   Ifl. 

Where'er   in   sacred  writ  we   see 
A    word   of  grace  or    piomise   free, 
With  blessings  dropt    for   Jesus'  sake; 
We  these  for  gospel  news  may  take. 
But  where  a  precept  strict  we    find 
With   promise  to  our  doing  join'd, 
Or   threal'ning  with    a    wrathful    frown; 
This  as   the   law  we  justly   own. 

PAaAORAPR.  II.  The  Place  and  Station  of  the  Law  and  Gospel  in 
particular:  Where  the  difference  is  noted  botwij;!  the  Gospe? 
larg-ely  viewed  in  its  dispensation,  and  strictly  in  itseli;  and  be- 
twixt the  gospel  and  faith  receiving  it. 

WocLDST  thou  distinctly  know  the  sound 
Of  law  and  grace,  then  don't  confound 
The  dispensation  with  the  grace: 
For  these  two  have  a  distinct  place. 
The  gospel  thus  dispens'd  we  see, 
'Believe  and  thou  shalt  saved  he;' 
If  not,  thou  shah  be  damn'd  to  helly 
And  in  eternal  torments  dwell. 
Here  precepts  in  it  are  dispensM, 
With  threat'nings  of  damnation  fcnc'rf; 
The  legal  sanction  here  takes  place, 
That  none  may  dare  abuse  free  gnice* 
Yet  nor  does  that  command  of  faith. 
Nor  this  tremendous  threat  of  wrath. 
Belong  to  gospel  strictly  so; 
But  to  its  dispensation  do. 
The  method  of  dispensing  here. 
Does  law  and  gospel  jointly  bear; 
Because  the  law's  subservient 
Unto  the  gos|)ers  bless'd  intent. 
Precepts  and  threat'nings  both  make  way; 
The  gospel  blessings  to  convey; 
Which  differs  much  (though  thus  dispons'tl) 
From  laws  and  threats  whereby  'tis  feuc'd- 
*  Believe,  and  thou  shalt  saved  be,' 
Is  gospel,  but  improperly; 


'ik 


CHAP  It.  THE    believer's    PRlNCrPtBg.  281 

Yet  safely  men  may  call  it  thus, 
Because  'tis  so  dispens'd  to  us. 
But  sure,  the  gospel  news  we  sing 
Must  be  some  other  glorious  thing, 
Than  precepts  to  believe  the  same, 
Whatever  way  we  blend  their  name. 
The  gospel  treasure's  something  more 
Than  means  that  do  apply  the  store: 
Believing  is  the  method  pav'd, 
The  gospel  is  the  thing  believ'd. 
The  precious  thing  is  tidings  sweet 
Of  Christ  a  Saviour  most  complete, 
To  save  from  sin,  and  death,  and  wiath; 
Which  tidings  tend  to  gender  faith. 
Faith  comes  by  hearing  God's  record 
Concerning  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord, 
And  is  the  method  Heav'n  has  blest 
For  bringing  to  the  gospel  rest. 
The  joyful  sound  is  news  of  grace. 
And  life  to  Adam's  guilty  race. 
Through  Jesus'  righteousness  divine, 
Which  bright  from  faith  to  faith  does  shine, 
The  promise  of  immortal  bliss 
Is  made  to  this  full  righteousness: 
By  this  our  right  to  life  is  bought; 
Faith  begs  the  right,  but  buys  it  not. 
True  faith  receives  the  offer'd  good, 
And  promise  seal'd  with  precious  blood; 
It  gives  no  title  to  the  bliss, 
But  takes  th'  entitling  righteousnesd, 
This  object  great  of  saving  faith, 
And  this  alone  the  promise  hath; 
For  'tis  not  made  to  faith's  poor  act, 
But  is  the  prize  that  faith  does  take; 
And  only  as  it  takes  the  same, 
It  bears  a  great  and  famous  name; 
For  self,  and  all  its  grandeur,  down 
It  throws,  that  Christ  may  wear  the  crowDr 
But  if  new  laws  and  threats  were  all 
That  gospel  properly  we  call, 

24* 


282  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  paet  vr. 

Then   were  the  precept  to   believe. 

No   better   news  than   '  do   and   live.' 

If  then  we  won't  distinguish  here, 

We  cloud,  but  don't  the  gospel  clear; 

We  blend  it  with  the  fiery  law. 

And  all  into  confusion    draw. 

The  law  of  works  we  introduce, 

As  if  old   merit  were  in  use. 

When  man  could  life   by  doing  win, 

Ev'n  though  the  work   by  grace  were  done. 

Old  Adam,  in  his  ignorance, 

Deriv'd   his  power  of  doing  hence: 

As  all  he  could  was  wholly  due; 

So  all  the  working  strength  he   knew. 

Was  only  from  the  grace  of  God, 

Who  with  such  favor  did  him  load: 

Yet  was  the  promise  to  his  act. 

That  he  might  merit  by  compact. 

No  merit  but  of  paction  could 

Of  men  or  angels  e'er  be  told; 

The  God-man  only  was  so  high 

To  merit  by  condignity. 

Were  life  now  promis'd  to  our  act, 

Or  to  our  works  by  paction  tack'd; 

Though  God  should  his  assistance  grant, 

'Tis  still  a  doing  covenant. 

Though  heav'n  its  helping  grace  should  yield, 

Yet  merit's  still   upon   the   field; 

We  cast  the  name,  yet  still  'tis  found 

Diaclaim'd   but  with  a  verbal  sound. 

If  one  should  borrow  tools  from  you, 

That  he  some  famous  work  might  do; 

When  once  his  work  is  well  prepar'd. 

He  sure  deserves  his  due  reward; 

Yea  justly  may  he  claim  his  due. 

Although  he  borrow'd   tools  from  you: 

Ev'n  thus  the  borrow'd  strength  of  grace 

Can't  hinder  merit  to  take  place. 

From  whencesoe'er  we  borrow  powers^ 

If  life  depend  on  works  of  ours; 


CHAP.  rr.         THE  believer's  principles.  283 

Or  if  we  make  the  gospel  thus 

In  any  sort  depend  on  us; 

We  give  the  law  the  gospel  place, 

Rewards  of  debt  the  room  of  grace; 

We  mix  Heav'n's  treasures  with  our  trash, 

And  magnify  corru})ted  flesh. 

The  new  and  gospel  covenant 

No  promise  to  our  works  will  grant: 

But  to  the  doing  of  our  Head, 

And  in  him  to  each  gospel  deed. 

To  godliness,  which  is  great  gain, 

Promise  is  said  to  appertain: 

But  know,  lest  you  the  gospel  mar. 

In  whom  it  is  we  godly  are. 

To  him  and  to  his  righteousness 

Still  primar'ly  the  promise  is; 

And  not  even  to  the  gracious  deed. 

Save  in  and  through  the  glorious  Head. 

Pray  let  us  here  observe  the  odds. 

How  law  and  grace  take  counter  roads; 

The  law  of  works  no  promise   spake 

Unto  the  agent,  but  the  act. 

It  primar'ly  no  promise  made 

Unto  the   person,  but  the  deed; 

Whate'er  the  doing  person    sh^.r'd, 

'Twas  for  his  deed  he  had  reward. 

The  law  of  grace  o'erturns  the  scale. 

And  makes  the  quite  reverse  prevail; 

Its  promise  lights  not  on  the  deed, 

But  on  the  doing  person's  head; 

Not  for  his  doing,  but  for  this. 

Because  in  Christ  his  person  is: 

Which  union  to  the  living  Prince, 

His  living  works  and  deeds  evince. 

Good  fruits  have  promise  in  this  view, 

As  union  to  the  Branch  they  shew; 

To  whom  the  promises  pertain. 

In  him  all  yea,  and  all  Amen. 

Observe,  pray:  for  if  here  we  err. 

And  do  not  Christ  alone  prefer. 


284  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PART  VI. 

But  think  the  promise  partly  stands 

On  our  obeying  new  commands; 

Til'  old  cov'nant  place  to  woiks  we  give, 

Or  mingle  grace  with  Do  and  Live; 

We  overcloud  the  gospel  charms 

And  also  bieak  our  working  arms. 

More  honor  to  the  law  profess, 

But  giving  more  we  give  it  less. 

Its  heavy  yoke  in  vain  we  draw, 

By  turning  gospel  into  law. 

We  rob  grace  of  its  joyful  sound. 

And  bury  Christ  in  Moses'  ground: 

At  best  we  run  a  legal  race 

Upon  the  field  of  gospel  grace. 

Paragraph  hi.    The  Gospel  no  new  Law,  but  a  joyful  sound  of 
Grace  and  Mercy. 

Law  Precepts  in  a  gospel  mould, 
We  may  as  gospel  doctrine  hold; 
But  gospel  calls  in  legal  dress, 
The  joyful  sound  of  grace  suppress. 
,   Faith  and  repentance  may  be  taught, 
!A.nd  yet  no  gospel  tidings  brought; 
If  as  mere  duties  these  we  press. 
And  not  as  parts  of  promis'd  bliss. 
If  only  precepts  we  present, 
Though  urg'd  with  strongest  argument, 
We  leave  the  wak'ned  sinner's  hope 
In  darkness  of  despair  to  grope. 
The  man  whom  legal  precepts  chase, 
As  yet  estrang'd  to  sov'reign  grace,  i^ 

Mistaking  evangelic  charms. 
As  if  they  stood  on  legal  terms. 
Looks  to  himself,  though  dead  in  sin. 
For  grounds  of  faith  and  hope  within; 
Hence  fears  and  fetters  grow  and  swell, 
Since  nought's  within  but  sin  and  hell. 
But  faith,  that  looks  to  promis'd  grace. 
Clean  out  of  self  the  soul  will  chase, 
To  Christ  for  righteousness  and  strength, 
And  find  the  joyful  rest  at  length. 


CHAP.  II.  THE    BELTEVEn's   PRINCIPLES.  286 

Proud  flesh  and  blood  will  startle  here, 

And  hardly  such  report  can  bear, 

That  Heav'n  all  saving  store  wiil  give 

To  them  that  work  not,  but  believe. 

Yet  not  of  works,  but  'tis  the  race 

Of  faith,  that  it  nriay  be  of  grace; 

For  faith  docs  nothing  but  agree 

To  welcome  thi?  salvation  free. 

"  Cotne  <lown,  Zaccheus,  quickly  come, 

"Salvation's  brought  untoithy  home; 

"In  vain  thou  climb'st  the  legal  tree; 

"  Salvation  freely  comes  to  thee. 

"  Thou  dreaui'st  of  coming  up  to  terms; 

"  Come  down  into  my  saving  arms; 

"  Down,  down,  and  get  a  pardon  free, 

"On  terms  already  wrought  by  me. 

"  Behold  the  blessings  of  my  blood, 

"  Bouglit  for  thy  everlasting  good, 

"  And  freely  all  to  l)e  convey'd 

"  Upon  the  price  already  paid.  *^ 

"  I  know  thou  hast  no  good,  and  see 

"  I  cannot  stand  on  terms  with  thee, 

"Whose  fall  has  left  thee  nought  to  claim, 

"  Nor  aught  to  boast  but  sin  and  shame." 

The  law  of  heavy  hard  commands 

Confirms  the  weak'ned  sinners  bands: 

But  grace  proclaims  relieving  news, 

And  scenes  of  matchless  mercy  shows. 

No  precept  clogs  the  gospel  call, 

But  wherein  grace  is  all  in  all;  * 

No  law  is  here  but  that  of  grace, 

Which  brings  relief  in  ev'ry  case. 

The  gospel  is  the  |)ron)ise  fair 

Of  grace,  all  ruins  to  re[)air, 

And  leaves  no  sinner  room  to  say, 

"  Alas!  this  debt  I  cannot  pay; 

"This  grievous  yoke  I  cannot  bear, 

"This  high  deiiKuid  I  cannot  clear." 

Grace  st0f)s  the  mouth  of  such  complaints. 

And  store  of  full  supply  presents. 


286  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART   VI. 

The  glorious  gospel  is  (in  brief) 

A  sov'reign  word  of  sweet  relief; 

Not  clogg'd  with  cumbersome  commands, 

To  bind  the  soul's  receiving  hands. 

'Tis  joyful  news  of  sov'reign  grace, 

That  reigns  in  state  through  righteousness, 

To  ransom  from  all  threat'ning  woes, 

And  answer  all  commanding  do's; 

This  gospel  comes  with  help  indeed, 

Adapted  unto  sinners'  need: 

These  joyful  news  that  suit  their  case 

Are  chariots  of  his  drawing  grace: 

'Tis  here  the  Spirit  powerful  rides. 

The  fountains  of  the  deep  divides; 

The  King  of  glory's  splendor  shows, 

And  wins  the  heart  with  welcome  news. 

Paragraph  iv.     The   Gospel  further   described,  as  a   bundle  of 
Good  News  and  Gracious  Promises. 

The  fiist  grand  promise  forth  did  break 
In  threats  against  the  tenipting  snake: 
So  may  the  gospel  in  commands; 
Yet  nor  in  threats  nor  precepts  stands: 
But  'tis  a  doctrine  of  free  grants 
To  sinners,  that  they  may  be  saints: 
A  joyful  sound  of  royal  gifts, 
To  obviate  unbelieving  shifts: 
A  promise  of  divine  supplies. 
To  work  all  gracious  qualities 
In  tiiose  who,  pronest  to  rebel, 
Are  only  qualiti'd  for  hell. 
Courting  vile  sinners,  ev'n  the  chief, 
It  leaves  no  cloak  for  unbelief; 
But  ev'n  on  gross  Manasseh's  calls, 
On  Mary  Magdalen's  and  Saul's. 
'Tis  good  news  of  a  fountain  ope 
For  sin  and  filth;  a  door  of  hope 
For  those  that  lie  in  blood  and  gore, 
And  of  a  salve  for  ev'ry  sore. 
Glud  news  of  sight  unto  the  blind; 
Of  light  unto  the  darken'd  mind; 


\ 


CWAP.  II.  THE    believer's    PRINCIPLES.  287 

Of  healing  to  the  deadly  sick; 
And  mercy  both  to  Jew  and  Greek. 
Good  news  of  goUi  to  poor  that  lack; 
^  Of  raiment  to  tlie  naked  back; 
Of  binding  to  tiie  wounds  that  smart; 
And  rest  unto  the  weary  heart. 
Glad  news  of  freedom  to  the  bound; 
Of  store  all  losses  to  refund; 
Of  endless  life  unto  the  dead; 
And  present  help  in  time  of  need. 
Good  news  of  heav'n,  where  angels  dwell, 
To  those  that  well  deserved  hell; 
Of  strength  too  weak,  for  work  and  war, 
And  access  near  to  those  afar- 
Glad  news  of  joy  to  those  that  weep, 
And  tender  care  of  crip[)le  shrep; 
Of  shelter  to  the  soul  pursu'd, 
And  cleansing  to  the  hellish  hu'd: 
Of  floods  to  sap  the  parched  ground, 
And  streams  to  run  tlie  desert  round; 
Of  ransom  to  the  captive  caught, 
And  harbor  to  the  found'ring  yacht: 
Of  timely  aid  to  weaiy  groans; 
Of  joy  restor'd  to  broken  bones; 
Of  grace  divine  to  graceless  preys, 
And  glory  to  the  vile  and  base: 
Of  living  water  pure,  that  teems 
On  fainting  souls  refreshing  streams; 
'  Of  gen'rous  wine  to  cheer  the  strong, 
And  milk  to  feed  the  tender  young; 
Of  saving  faith  to  faithless  ones; 
Of  soft'ning  grace  to  flinty  stones; 
Of  pardon  to  a  guilty  crew. 
And  mercy  free,  where  wrath  was  due. 
Good  news  of  welcome,  kind  to  all 
That  come  to  Jesus  at  his  call; 
Yea,  news  of  drawing  power,  when  scant, 
To  those  that  fain  would  come,  and  can't. 
Glad  news  of  rich  mysterious  grace, 
And  mercy  meeting  ev'ry  case; 


28^  GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Of  store  immense  all  voids  to  fill, 
A'nd  free  to  whomsoever  will: 
Of  Christ  exalted  as  a  Prince, 
Pardons  to  give  and  penitence; 
Of  grace  o'ercoming  stubborn  wills, 
And  leaping  over  Bether  hills. 
Faith  comes  by  hearing  these  reports; 
Straight  to  the  court  of  grace  resorts, 
And  free  of  mercenary  thought, 
Gets  royal  bounty  all  for  nought. 
Faith's  wing  within  the  clammy  sea 
Of  legal  merit  cannot  fly. 
But  mounting  mercy's  air  apace. 
Soars  in  the  element  of  grace. 
But  as  free  love  the  blessing  gives 
To  him  that  works  not,  but  believes; 
So  faith,  once  reaching  its  desire, 
Works  hard  by  love,  but  not  for  hire. 


CHAPTER  III. 

YHE    believer's  principles  CONCERNING  JUSTIFICATIOK 
AND  SANCTIFICATION;   THEIR  DIFFERENCE  AND  HARMONY. 


Skct.  I.  The  difference  between  Justification  and  Sanctiflcationj 
or  righteousness  imputed  and  grace  imparted;  in  upwards  of 
thirty  particulars,* 

'     Kind  Jesus  spent  his  life  to  spin 

My  robe  of  perfect  righteousness; 
But  by  his  Spirit's  work  within 
He  forms  my  gracious  holy  dress. 

*  Note.  TTiat  (metri  causa)  Justification  is  here  sometitAg  cx- 
pressed  by  the  words  imputed  grace,  justifying  grace,  rig^lfoas* 
ness,  &.C.  Sanctijication  by  the  names,  imparted  grace,  grace,  gra- 
ces, holinoss,  sanctity,  &c.;  which  the  judicious  will  easily  under- 
stand. 


miAT.  in.       THB  believkr's  pniNwrLEs.  2Si* 

lie  as  a  priest  me  justifies, 

His  blood  does  roaring  conscience  still; 
But  as  a  King-  he  sanctifies. 

And  subjugates  my  stubborn  will. 
H^,  justifying  by  his  merit, 

///(yw^es  to  7?tc  his  riohtoousness; 
But  sanctiCyirig-  by  his  Spirit, 
Infuses  in  vie  saving  grace. 
My  justifying  righteousness 

Can  merit  by  condignityj  > 
But  nothing  with  my  strong^t  grace 

Can  be'deserv'd  by  naughty  me. 
This  justifying  favor  sets  , 

The  guilt  of  all  my  sin  remote j 
But  sanctifying  grace  deletes 

The  Jilth  and  blackness  of  its  blot. 
By  virtue  of  this  righteousness, 

Sin  can't  condemn  nor  justly  brand: 
By  virtue  of  infused  grace, 
■5     Anon  it  ceases  to  command. 
The  righteousness  which  I  enjoy, 

Sin's  damning-  power  will  wholly  stay; 
And  grace  im[>arted  will  destroy 
Its  ruling  domineering  sway. 
The  former  is  my  Judge's  act 

Of  condonation  full  and  free: 
The  latter,  hi:^  commenced  fact. 

And  gradual  work  advanc'd  in  me. 
The  former's  instantaneous, 

The  moment  that  1  first  believe: 
The  latter  is,  as  Heav'n  allows. 

Progressive  while  on  earth  I  live. 
The  first  will  peace  to  conscience  give, 
The  last  the  filthy  heart  will  cleanse; 
The  first  effects  a  relative, 

The  last  a  real  inward  change. 
The  former  j)ar(Zy/is  every  sin. 

And  conn's  me  righteous,  free,  and  just; 
The  latter  quiche ns  grace  within, 
And  mortifies  my  sin  and  lust. 
25 


^M  ^SOSI-Et    SONNETS.- 

Imputed  grace  entitles  me 

Unto  eternal  happiness; 
Imparted  grace  will  qualify 

That  heav'nly  kingdom  to  possess. 
My  litchteousness  is  infinite, 

Both  subjectively  and  in  kind; 
My  holiness  most  incomplete, 

And  daily  wavers  like  the  wind. 
Swlasting  is  my  ovter  dress. 

It  never  wears  nor  waxes  old; 
My  inner  garb  of  grace  decays 

And  fades,  if  Heav'n  do  not  upliolcL 
My  righteousness  and  pardon  is 

At  once  most  perfect  and  complete,' 
But  sanctity  admils  degrees, 

i>oes  vary,  Hnctuate  and  fleet. 
Heace  fix'd,  my  righteousness  divine 

No  real  change  can  undergo; 
But  all  my  graces  wax  and  wane, 

By  various  turnings  ebb  and  flow* 
I'm  by  the  first  as  righteous  now 

An  e'er  hereafter  I  can  be: 
The  last  will  to  perfection  grow, 

Keav'n  only  is  the  full  degree. 
7'he  first  is  eqval,  wholly  given, 

And  slii^Mtihe  same  in  ev'ry  saint: 
The  last,  unequal  and  unev'n, 

Whilst  some  enjoy  what  others  want. 
My  righteousness  divme-iis  fresh, 

For  ever  pure  and  heav'nly  both; 
My  sanctity  is  partly  fesh. 

And  justly  termVi  a  menstr''ous  cloih, 
'   My  rinhteousness  {  magnify, 

'Tia  my  trium[)hani  hjfty  flag: 
But  pois'd  with  this,  my  sanctity 

Is  nothing  but  a  filthy  rag. 
I    glory    in   my    righteousness, 

And  loud  extoJ  it  with  my  tongue; 
But  all  my  grace  compav'd  with  this, 

1  underrate  as  loss  and  dung. 


CHAP.  III.  THE  BET.T»^^t;H's   PSfNe-IPLBW.  5i9I 

By  justifving-  grace,  I'm  apt 

Of  divine  favor  free  to  boast; 
By  holiness,  I'tn  partly  shap'd 

Into  his  imago   I   had    lost. 
The  first  to  divine  justice  pays 

A  rent  to  still  the  furious  storm; 
The  last,  to  divine  holiness 

Instructs  mo  duly  to  conform. 
The  first  does  quench   the   fiery  law, 

Its  rioid  cov''nant  fully  stay; 
The  last,   its  rule  .embroider'd  draw, 

To  deck  my  heart,  and  gild  my   way. 
The  subject  of  my  righteousness 

Is  Christ  himself  my  glorious  Head; 
But  I  the  subject   am  of  grace, 

As  he  supplies  my  daily  netd. 
The  matter  of  the  former'  too 

Is  only  Clirist's  obedience  dear; 
But  lo,  his  helping  me  to  do 

Is  all  the  work  and  matter  here. 
1  on  my  righteousness  rely 

For  Hcav'n's  acceptance  free,  and  win; 
But  in  this  matter  must  deny 

My  grace,  ev'n  as  I  do  my  sin. 
Though  all  my  graces  precious  are,, 

Yea,  perfect  also  in  desire; 
They  cannot  stand  before  thj>-  bar 

Where  awful  justice  is  uppire: 
But,  in  the  robe  thajp^jirist  did  spin, 

They  are  of  gr^Si  and  high  request; 
They  have  acceptance,  wrapt  within 

My  elder  Brother's  bloody  vest. 
My  righteousness  proclaims  me  great 

And  fair,  ev'n  in  the  sig-ht  of  Go+t; 
But  sanctity's  my  main  offset 

Betore  the  gazing  world  abroad. 
More  jusfify'd  I  cannot    be 

By  all  my  most  religious  acts; 
But  these  increase    my   sanctify, 

Tliat's  still  atteaded  with  defects. 


292  60STEL  SOWJOtTS.  PART  VI. 

My  righfeoMsnoss  Jhe  safest  ark 

'Midst  ev'ry   threat'ning  flood  will  be: 
My  graces  but  a  leaking  bark 

Upon  a  stormy   raging  sea. 
I  see  in  justifying  grace 

God's  love  to  me  does  ardent  burn; 
But  by  imparted  holiness 

I,  grateful,  love  for  love  return. 
My  righteousness  is  that  which  draws 

My  thankful  heart  to  this  respect: 
The  former  then  is  first  the  cause. 

The  latter  is  the  sweet  effect. 
Christ  is  in  justifying  me. 

By  name.   The  Lord  m^  righteousne^; 
But,  as  he  comes  to  sanctify. 

The  Lord  my  strength  and  help  he  i*.. 
In  that  I  have  the  •patient''^  pjaee. 

For  there  Jehovah's  act  is  all; 
But  in  the  other,  I'm  through  grace 

x\n  agent  working  at  his  call. 
The  first  does  slavish  fear  forbid. 

For  there  his  wrath  revejjging  ends' 
The  last  commands  my  JiJial  dread, 

For  Jiere  paternal  ire  attends- 
The  former  does  annuJ  my  wo, 

By  God's  judicial  sentence   ])ass'd; 
Yhe  latter  m^j^kes  my  graces  grow. 

Faith,  love,  flwientance,  and  the  rest.. 
The  first  does  divine  pard'ning  love 

Sf  ost  freely  manifesPtil^;  nie; 
The  last  makes  shinij^g  graces,  ,prove 

Mine  int'rest  in   tiie  pardon  liee. 
My  soui  in  justifying  grace 

Does  full  and  free  acceptance  gain; 
In  sanctity  I  heav'nward  pre-ss, 

By  sweet  assistance  I  obtain. 
The  first  declares  Tm  free  of  debt,, 

Aiid  nothing  left  for  me  to  pa}-; 
The  last  makes  me  a  debtor  yet. 

But  helps  to  pay  it  ev'ry  day^ 


«HAP.   III.  THE    believer's    l>niNCIPLEl8.  29^ 

My  righteousness,  with  wounds  and  blood, 
Discharsr'd  both  iaw  and  justice'  score; 

Hence,  with  the  debt  of  gratitude 
I'll  charge  myself  for  evermore, 

Sect.  ii.     The  Harmony  between  Justification  and  Sanetifjcation, 

He  who  me  decks  with   righteousness. 

With  grace  will  also  clothe; 
For  glorious  Jesus  came  to  bless 

By  blood  and  water  both. 
That  in  his  righteousness  I  trust, 

My  sanctity   will  show; 
Though  graces  cannot  make  me  ju^i. 

They  show  me  to  be  so- 
All  those  who,  freely  justifi'd, 

Are  of  the  pardon'd   race, 
Anon  are  also  sanctifi'd 

And   purifi'd  by  grace. 
Where  justice  stern  docs  justify. 

There  holiness  is  clear'd; 
Heav'n's  equity  and  sanctity 

Can  never  be  sever'd. 

Hence,  when  mv  soul  with  pardon  deck\]. 

Perceives  no  divine  ire, 
Then  holiness  I  do  affect     ^mnUlk-"^^**^ 

With  passionate  desire:    •• 
His  justifying  grace^  4s  such 

As  wafts  my  soul  to  heav'n: 
1  cannot  choose  but  love   liitn  muct), 

Who  much  has  me  forgiven. 
The  sun  of  righteousness  that  brirjgs 

Remission   in  his  rays, 
The  healing,  in   his  golden  wings 

Of  light  and  heat,  conveys. 
Wherever  Jesus  is  a  Priest, 

There  will  he  be  a  King; 
He  that  assoils  from  sin's  arrest, 

Won't  tolerate  its  reign. 
25* 


294  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  TASiT  TI. 

The  title  of  a  precious  grace 

To  faith  may  justly  fall, 
Because  its  open  arms  embrace 

A   precious  Christ  for  all. 
From  precious  faith  a  precious  strife 

Of  precious  virtues  flow; 
A  precious  heart,  a  precious  lifo^ 

And  precious  duties  too. 
Wherever  faith  does  justify, 

It  purifies  the  heart: 
The  pardon  and  the  purity 

Join  hands  and  never  part. 
The  happy  state  of  pardon  doth 

An  holy  life  infer: 
In  subjects  capable  of  both 

They  never  sunder'd  were. 
Yet  in  defence  of  truth  must  we 

Distinctly  view  the  twain; 
That  how  they  differ,  how  agree;: 

We  may  in   truth  maintain. 
Two  natures  in  one  person  dwell. 

Which  no  division  know, 
in   our  renown'd   Immanuel, 

Without  confusion  too. 
Those  that  divide  them  grossly  err,, 

Though  yet  distinct  ihey   be: 
Those  who  confvsion  hence  infer, 

Imagine  blasphemy. 
Thus  righteousness  and  grace  we  must 

Nor  sunder  nor  confountl; 
Else  holy  peace  to  us  is  lost, 

And  sacred  truth  we  wound. 
While  we  their  proper  place  maintain. 

In  friendship  sweet  they  dwell; 
But  or  to  part  or  blend  the  twain. 

Are  errors  hatch'd  in  hell. 
To  separate  what  God  does  join, 

Is  wicked  and  profane; 
To  mix  and  mutilate   his  coin. 

Is  damnable  and  vain» 


CHAr.  rvr         niE  kelikver's  principles.  296 

Though  plain  distinction  must  take  place. 

Yet  no  division  here, 
Nor  dark  confusion;  else  the  grace 

Of  both  will  disappear. 
Lo!  errors  gross  on  ev'ry  side 

Conspire  to  hurt  and  woundf 
Antinomists  do  them  divide. 

And  legalists  confound. 


C5HAPTER  IV. 

THE    believer's   PRINCIPLES    CONCERNING    FAITH    ANP 

SENSE. 

1.  Of  Faith  and  Sense  Natural, 

2.  Of  Faith  and  Sense  Spiritual. 

3.  The  Harmony  and  Discord  between  Faith  and  Sense. 

4.  The  Valor  and  Victories  of  Faith. 

5.  The  Heights  and  Depths  of  Sense. 

6.  Faitli  and  Frames  compared;  or,  Faith  building  upon  Sense 

discovered. 

Sect.  I.     Faith  and  Sense  Natural,  compared  and  distinguished. 

When  Abram's  body,  Sarah's  womb, 
Were  ripe  for  nothing  but  the  tomb, 
E.\ceeding  old,  and  wholly  dead, 
Unlike  to  bear  the   promis'd  seedj 
Faith  said,  /  shall  an  Isaac  see: 
No,  no,  said  sense,  it  cannot  be: 
Blind  reason,  to  augment  the  strife, 
Adds,  How  can  death  engender  life? 
My  heart  is  like  a  rotten  tomb. 
More  dead  than  ever  Sarah's  womb; 
O!  can  the  promis'd  seed  of  grace 
Spring  forth  from  such  a  barren  place? 
Sense  gazing  but  on  flinty  rocks, 
My  hope  and  expectation  chokes: 
But  could  I,  skili'd  in  Abram's  art, 
O'erlook  my  dead  and  barren  heart; 


296  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAHT  VI. 

And  build  my  hope  on    nothing  less 
Than  divine  power  and    faithfulness; 
Soon  would  I  find  him  raise  up  sons 
To  Abram,  out  of  stocks  and  stones. 
Faith  acts  as  busy   boatmen   do, 
Who  backward  look   and  forward   row; 
It  looks  intent  to  things  unseen, 
Thinks  objects  visible   too  mean. 
Sense  thinks  it  madness  thus  to  steer, 
And  only  trusts  its  eye  and  ear; 
Into  faith's  boat  dare  thrust  its  oar, 
And  put  it  further  from  the  shore. 
Faith  does  alone  the  promise  eye; 
Sense  won't  believe  unless  it  see; 
Nor  can  it  trust  the  divine  guide, 
Unless  it  have   both  wind  and   tide. 
Faith  thinks  the  promise  sure    and  good; 
Sense  doth  depend  on  likelihood; 
Faith  ev'n  in  storms  believes  the  seers; 
Sense  calls  all   men,  even  prophets,  liars. 
Faith  uses  means,  but  rests  on  none; 
Sense  fails  when  outward  means  are  gone, 
Trusts  more  on  probabilities, 
Than  all  the  divine  promises. 
It  i'ests  u{)on  the  rusty  beam 
Of  outward  things  that  hopeful  seem; 
Let  these  its  ymport  sink  or  cease, 
No  promise  then*can  yield  it  peace. 
True  faith,  that's  of  <*^kvi'ie  brood, 
Consults  not  base  witlin^fe  and  blood; 
But  carnal  sense,  which  ever  errs. 
With  carnal   reason  still  confers. 
What!  won't  my  disciples  believe  .-. 

That  I  am  risen  from  the  grave? 
Why  will   they  pore  on  dust  and  death, 
And  overlook  my  quick'ning  breath? 
Why  do  they  slight  the   word  I  spake? 
And  rather  sorry  counsel  take 
With  death,  and  with  a  powerful  grave, 
l(  they  their  captive  can  relieve? 


CiHAP.  IV.  THE    BETIEVER's    PRINCIPLES.  207 

Sense  does  inquire  if  tombs  of  clay 
Can  send  their  guests  alive  away; 
But  faith  will  hear  Jehovah's  word, 
Of  life  and  death  the  sov'reign  Lord. 
Should  1  give  ear  to  rotten  dust, 
Or  to  the  tombs  confine  my  trust; 
No  resurrection  can   f  see; 
For  dust  that  Hies  into  mine  eye. 
What!  Thomas,  can't  thou  trust  so  much 
To  me,  as  to  tliy  sight  and  touch? 
Won't  thou  believe  till  sense  be   guide, 
And  thrust  its  hand  into  my  side? 
Wiiere  is  thy  faith,  if  it  depends 
On  nothing  but  thy  finger-ends? 
But  blcss'd  are  they  the  truth  who  feel 
By  faith,  yet  neither  see  nor  feel. 

;<f:;  r.  ii.  Faith  and  Sense  Spiritual,  compared  and  distingnisliecf. 
Whoro  also  the  Difference  between  (Jic  Assurance  of  Faith,  aud 
the  Assurance  of  Sense. 

The  ceitainty  of  faith  and  sense 
Wide  difler  in  experience; 
Faith  builds  upon.   Thus  saitJi  the  Lord: 
Sense  views  his  vwrk,  and   not  his  wordo. 
God's  word  without  is  faith's  resort, 
Ilis  work  tritMn  doth  sense  support. 
By  faith  w"e  trust  him  without  pawns, 
By  sense  we  handle  with  our  hands. 
By  faith  the  word^^^, truth's  rcceiv'd. 
By  sense  we  luioW  we  have   belie v'd. 
Faith's  certain  hy  fdvcial  acts. 
Sense  by  its  evidential  facts. 
Faijito  credits  the  divine  report, 
SenW  to  his  breathings  makes  resort: 
That  on  his  woi-d  of  grace   will   hang'. 
This  on  his  Spirit  ivitnessing. 
By  faith  I  take  the  Lord  for  mine, 
By  sense  I  feel  his  love  divine: 
By  that  I  touch  his  garment  hem. 
By  this  firid  virtue  thence  to  stream* 


29S  GOSPEL    SONNETS.  Pj 

By  faith   I  have  mine  all  on  hand, 

By  sense  I  have  some  stock  in  hand: 

By  that  some  vision  is   be^un, 

By  this  1  some  f 7' uit ion  win. 

My  faith  can  fend  ev'n  in  exile, 

Sense  cannot   live  without  a  smile. 

By  faith   I  to  his  promise   fly, 

By  sense  I  in  his  bosom  lie. 

Faith   buil«is  upon  the  truth  of  God, 

That  lies  within  the  promise   broad; 

But  sense  upon  the  truth  of  grace 

His  hand   within  my   heart  did   place. 

Thus  Christ's  the  object  faith  will  eye, 

And   faith's  the  oiiject  sense   rnaj    see: 

Faith  keeps  the  truth  of  God   in   view. 

While  sense   the  truth  of  faith   may  shew. 

Hence  faith's  assurance  firm  can  stand, 

When  sense's  in  the  deep  tnay  strand: 

And  faith's  persuasion  full   prevail, 

Wht  n  comfortable  sense   may   fail. 

I  am  assur'd   when   faith's  in  act, 

Thoujrh  sense  and  feeling  both  I  lack: 

And  thus  mysterious  is  my   lot, 

I'm  oft  assur'd   when  1   am   not; 

Oft  piere'd   with  racking-  doubts  and  fears 

Yet  faith  these  brisinbles  never  bears; 

But  unbelief  that  <  uts  my   breath. 

And  sto|)s  the  languiioo  of  my   faith. 

Clamors  of  urd)eliev  ingji^ars, 

So  frequcntlv   disturb    mine   ears, 

I  cannot   iiear  what   faith   would  say, 

Till  once  the  noisy  clamors  stay. 

And   then   will   fresh  experience  find,     '^ 

When  faith  gets  leave  to  speak  its  mind, 

The   native  language  whereof  is, 

My  Lord,  is  mine,  and  I  am  his. 

Sad  doubtings  compass  me  about. 

Yet  faith  itself  could   never  doubt; 

For,  as  the  sacred   volume  saith, 

Much  doubting  argues  little  faith. 


^' 


•HAp,  IV.  THE    BELIEVER  ri    PKINCIPLES.  o^jj 

Tlie  doubts  and  feiirs  that  work  my  grief, 
Flow   not  from   faith   l)ul  unbelief; 
For  faith,  whene'er  it  acteth,  cures 
The  plague  of  doubts,  and  ine  assures: 
But  when   mine  eye  of  faith's  asleep, 
I  dream  of  drowning  in  the  deep: 
But  as  befals  the  sleeping  eye, 
'I'hough  sight  remain,  in  cannot  ^ee; 
The  seeing  faculty  abides, 
Though  sleep  from  active  seeing  hides: 
So  faith's  alluring  powers  endure 
Ev'n  when  is  ceases  to  assure. 
There's  still  persuasion  in  my  faith, 
Ev'n  when  I'm  fill'd  with  fears  of  wrath; 
The  trusting  habit  still  remains, 
Though  slumbers  hold  the  act  in  chains. 
TW  assuring  faculty  it  keej)s, 
Ev'n  when  its  eye  in  darkness  sleeps, 
Wrapt  up  in  doubts;  but  when  it  wakes, 
It  rouses  up  assuring  acts. 

Sect.  hi.   The  harmony  and  discord  between  Faith  and  Sen^e; 
how  they  lielp,  and  how  they  laar  each  other. 

Though  gallant  faith   can   keep  the  field, 
When  cow'rdly  sense  will  fly  or  yield; 
Yet  while  I  view  their  usual,  path, 
Sense  often  stands  and  falls  with  faith. 
Faith  ushers  in  sweet  peace  and  joy, 
Which  further  hearfehs  faith's  employ: 
Faith  like  the  head,  and  sense  the  heart, 
Do  nujtual  vigor  fresh  impart. 
When  lively  faith  and  feeling  sweet, 
Like  dearest  darlings,  kindly  meet, 
They  straight  each  other  help  and  hug 
In  loving  friendship  close  and  snug. 
Faith  gives  to,  sense  both  life  and  breath, 
And  sense  gives  joy  and  strength  to  faith; 
"O  now,"  says  faith,  "  how  fond  do  1 
"  In  sense's  glowing  bosom  liel" 


GOSPEX    SONNETS.  PAHT    V  I. 

Their  mutual  kindness  then  is  such, 
That  oft  they  doating  too  too  much, 
Embrace  each  other  out  of  breath; 
As  ^sop  hugg'd  his  child  to  death. 
Faith  leaping-  into  sense's  arms, 
Ailur'd  with  her  bewitching  charms, 
In  hugging  these,  lets  rashly  slip 
The  prop^  object  of  its  gripe. 
Which  being  lost,  behold  the  thrall ! 
Anon  faith  loses  sense  and  all; 
Thus  unawares  cuts  sense's  breath, 
While  sense  trips  up  the  heels  of  faith. 
Her  charms  assuming  Jesus'  place, 
While  faith's  lull'd  in  her  soft  embrace; 
Lo!  soon  in  dying  pleasures  wrapt, 
Its  living  joy  away   is  snapt. 

Sect.  vi.     Tlie  valor  and  victories  of  Faith. 

By  faith  T  unseen  Being  see 

Forth   lower  beings  call, 
And  say  to  nothing.  Let  it  be, 

And  nothing  hatches  all. 
By  faith  1  know  the  worlds  were  made 

By  God's  great  word  of  might; 
IIow  soon,  Let  there  be  light,  he  said, 

That  moment  there  was  light. 
By  faith  I  soar  and  force  my  flight. 

Through  all  the  clouds  of  sense; 
I  see  the  glories  out  of  sight, 

With  brightest  evidence. 
By  faith  I  mount  the  azure  sky. 

And  from  the  lofty  sphere,  ^ 

The  earth  a  little  mote  espy,  j, 

Unworthy  of  my  care.  , 

By  faith  I  see  the  unseen  things,  ^) 

Hid  from  all  mortal  eyes; 
Proud  reason  stretching  all  its  w^ings,  J 

Beneath  me  flutt'ring  lies. 
By  faith  I  build  my  lasting  hope  \ 

On  righteousness  divine;  % 


CHAP.    IV,  THE    believer's    PRINCIPLES.  301 

Nor  can  I  sink  with  such  a  prop, 

Whatever  storms  combine. 
By  faith  my  works,  my  righteousness, 

And  duties  all  I  own 
But  loss  and  dung;  and  lay  my  stress 

On  what  my  Lord  has  done. 
By  faith  I  overcome  the  world, 

And  all  its  hurtful  charms;  |^ 

I'm  in  the  heav'nly  chariot  hurl'd     '" 

Thiough  all  opposing  harms. 
By  faith  1  have  a  conqu'ring  power 

To  tread  upon  my  foes, 
To  triumph  in  a  dying  hour, 

And  banish  all  my  woes. 
By  faith  in  midst  of  wrongs  I'm  riglit, 

In  sad  decays  I  thrive; 
In  weakness  I  am  strong  in  might, 

In  death  I  am  alive. 
By  faith  I  stand  when  deep  I  fall, 

In  darkness  I  have  light; 
Nor  dare  I  doubt  and  question  all 

When  all  is  out  of  sight. 
By  faith  I  trust  a  pardon  free. 

Which  puzzles  flesh  and  blood; 
To  think  that  God  can  justify, 

Where  yet  he  sees  no  good. 
By  faith  I  keep  my  Lord's  commands, 

To  verify  my  trust; 
I  purify  my  heart  and  hands, 

And  mortify  my  lust. 
By  faith  my  melting  soul  repents, 

When  pierced  Christ  appears; 
M_v  heart  in  grateful  praises  vents. 

Mine  eyes  in  joyful  tears. 
By  faith  I  can  the  mountains  vast 

Of  sin  and  guilt  remove; 
And  them  into  the  ocean  cast, 

The  sea  of  blood  and  love. 
By  faith  I  see  Jehovah  high 

Upon  a  throne  of  grace; 

26 


302  GOSPEL    S0NNET8.  TART    VI. 

I  see  him  lay  his  vengeance  by, 

And  smile  in  Jesus'  face. 
By  faith  I  hope  to  see  the  Sun^ 

The  light  of  grace  that  lent, 
His  everlasting  circles  run, 

In  glory's  firmament. 
By  faith  I'm  more  than  conqueror^ 

Ev'n  thqjjigh  I  nothing  can. 
Because  lis^t  Jehovah's  powder 

Before  me  in  the  van. 
By  faith  I  counter-plot  my  foes. 

Nor  need  their  ambush  fear; 
Because  my  life-guard  also  goes 

Behind  me  in  the  rear. 
By  faith  I  walk,  I  run,  I  fly, 

By  faith  I  suffer  thrall; 
By  faith  I'ni  fit  to  live  and  die. 

By  faith  I  can  do  all. 

Swrr.  V.    The  Heights  and  Depths  of  Sense. 

Whem  Heav'n  me  grants,  at  certain  times, 

Amidst  a  powerful  gale, 
Sweet  liberty  to  moan  my  crimes, 

And  wand'rings  to  bewail; 
Then  do  I  dream  my  sinful  brood, 

Drown'd  in  the  ocean  main 
Of  chrystul  tears  and  crimson  blood, 

Will  never  live  again. 
I  get  my  foes  beneath  my  feet, 

I  bruise  the  serpent's  head; 
I  hope  tije  vict'ry  is  complete, 

And  all  my  lusts  are  dead. 
How  gladly  do  I  think  and  say, 

When  thus  it  is  with  me. 
Sin  to  my  sense  is  clean  away, 

And  so  shall  ever  be. 
But  ah!  alas!  th'  ensuing  hour 

My  lusts  arise  and  swell. 
They  rage  and  reinforce  their  power,, 

With  new  recruits  from  bell. 


>«RAP.    IV.  THB    BELI]EVER's    PRINCIPLES.  303 

Tho'  I  resolv'd  and  swore,  through  grace. 

In  very  solemn  terms, 
1  never  should  my  lusts  embrace. 

Nor  yield  unto  their  charms; 
Yet  such  deceitful  friends  they  are, 

While  1  no  danger  dream, 
I'm  snar'd  before  I  am  aware, 

And  hurry'd  down  the  stream.', 
Into  the  gulph  of  sin  anon, 

I'm  plunged  head  and  ears; 
Grace  to  my  sense  is  wholly  gone, 

And  I  am  cliain'd  in  fears; 
Till  straight  my  Lord  with  sweet  aurprigc 

Returns  to  loose  my  bands, 
With  kind  compassion  in  his  eyea. 

And  pardon  in  his  hands: 
Yet  thus  my  life  is  nothing  else 

But  heav'n  and  hell  by  turns; 
My  soul,  that  now  in  Goshen  dwells, 

AnoD  in  Egypt  mourns. 

Rect-  n.     Faith  and  Frames  compared:   or,  Faith  building  vpon 

Sense  discovered. 

Faith  has  for  its  foundation  broad 

A  stable  rock  on  which  I  stand, 
The  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God; 

All  other  grounds  are  sinking  sand. 
My  frames  and  feelings  ebb  and  flow; 

And  when  my  faith  depends  on  them, 
It  fleets  and  staggers  to  and  fro, 

And  dies  amidst  the  dying  frame. 
That  faith  is  surely  most  unstay'd, 

Its  stagg'ring  can't  be  counted  strange. 
That  builds  its  hope  of  lasting  aid 

On  things  that  every  moment  change- 
,^  But  could  my  faith  lay  all  its  load 

On  Jesus'  everlasting  name 
Upon  the  righteousness  of  God, 

And  divine  truth  that's  still  the  same: 


S04  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAKT  VI. 

Could  I  believe  what  God  has  spoke, 

Rely  on  his  unchanging  love, 
And  cease  to  grasp  at  fleeting  smoke, 

No  changes  would  my  mountain  move. 
But  when,  how  soon  the  frame's  away, 

And  comfortable  feelings  fail; 
So  soon  my  faith  falls  in  decay, 

And  unbelieving  doubts  prevail: 
This  proves  the  charge  of  latent  vice, 

And  plain  my  faith's  defects  may  show 
I  build  the  house  on  thavviilg  ice. 

That  tumbles  with  a  melting  snow. 
When  divine  smiles  in  sight  appear, 

And  I  enjoy  the  heav'niy  gale; 
When  wind  and  tide  and  all  is  fair, 

I  dream  my  f;iith  shall  never  fail; 
My  heart  will  false  conclusions  draw, 

Th;it  strong  my  mountain  shall  reinaiD, 
That  in  my  faith  there  is  no  flaw, 

I'll  never  luM'er  doubt  again. 
I  think  the  only  rest  I  take, 

Ts  God's  unfading  word  and  name; 
And  fancy  not  my  faith  so  weak, 

As  e'er  to  trust  a  fading  frame. 
But,  ah!  by  sudden  turns  I  see 

My  lying  heart's  fallacious  guilt, 
And  that  my  faith,  not  firm  in  me. 

On  sinking  sand  was  partly  built: 
For,  lof  when  warming  beams  are  gone. 

And  shadows  fall;  alas!  'tis  odd, 
I  cannot  wait  the  rising  Sun, 

I  cannot  trust  a  hiding  God: 
So  much  my  faith's  assistance  seems 

Its  life  from  fading  joys  to  bring, 
That  when  I  lose  the  dying  streams,  "* 

I  cannot  trust  the  living  spring. 
When  drops  of  comfort  quickly  diy'dy 

And  sensible  enjoyments  fail:  f 

When  cheering  apples  are  deny'd 

Then  doubts,  instead  of  faith,  prevaiL 


otijLP  IV.  THE  believer's    frinoiples.  305 

But  why,  thougli  fruit  ho  snatch'd  fiom  ine, 

Should  I  distrust  the  glorious  Root; 
And  still  affront  the  standing  Tree, 

By  trusting  more  to  falling  fruit?  v. 

The  smallest  trials  may  evince 

My  faith  unfit  to  stand  the  shock, 
That  more  depends  on  fleeting  sense, 

Than  on  the  fix'd  eternal  Rock. 
The  safest  ark,  when  floods  arise,  . 

Is  stable  truth  that  changes  not:' 
How  weak's  my  faith,  that  more  relies 

On  feeble  sense's  floating  boat! 
For  when  the  fleeting  frame  is  gone, 

I  straight  my  state  in  question  call; 
I  droop  and  sink  in  deeps  anon, 

As  if  my  frame  were  all  in  all. 
But  though  I  miss  the  pleasing  gale, 

And  Heav'n  withdraw  the  charming  glance, 
Unless  Jehovah's  oath  can  fail. 

My  faith  may  keep  it  countenance. 
The  frame  of  nature  shall  decay. 

Time  changes  break  her  rusty  chains; 
Yea,  heav'n  and  earth  shall  pass  away; 

But  faith's  foundation  firm  remains. 
Heav'n's  promises  so  fix'dly  stand, 

Engrav'd  with  an  immortal  pcn^ 
In  great  ImmamteV  s  mighty  h^^fr^"^ 

All  hell's, attempts  to  razJ^TO^vain 
Did  faith  with  none  but  triitn  advise. 

My  steady  soul  would  move  no  more, 
Than  stabla^iiils  when  tempests  rise, 

Or  solkr'rocks  when  billows  roar, 
my  faith  the  counsel  hears 
present  sense  and  reason  blind, 
/av'ring  spirit  then  appears 
feather  toss'd  with  ev'ry  wind. 
Je  legs  of  faith  unequal  crook: 

Thus  mine,  alas!  uneven  stand, 
Slse  1  would  trust  my  stable  Rock, 

Not  fading  fiames  and  feeble  sand. 

26* 


SQ6  GOSPEL   SONNETS.  PAET  Vl» 

I  would,  when  dying  comforts  fly, 
As  much  as  when  they  present  were, 

Upon  my  living  joy  rely, 

Help,  Lord,  for  here  I  daily  err. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  believek's  principles  concekning  heaven  and 

EARTH. 

Sect.  i.    The  Woi-k  and  Contention  of  Heaven. 

In  heav'nly  choirs  a  question  rose, 
That  stirr'd  up  strife  will  never  close. 
What  rank  of  all  the  ransorn'ri  'Pce 
Owes  highest  praise  to  sov'reign  grace? 
Babes  thither  caught  from  womb  and  breast, 
Claim'd  right  to  sing  above  the  rest; 
Because  they  found  the  happy  shore 
They  never  saw  nor  sought  before. 
Those  that  arive  at  riper  age 
Before  they  left  the  dusky  stage, 
Thought  grace  deserv'd  yet  higher  praise. 
That  wash'd  the  blots  of  num'rous  days. 
Anoo*fhe"  wlttt  more  close  began, 
What  praising  narp  should  lead  the  van? 
And   which  of  grace's  heav'nly  peers 
Was  deepest  run  in  her  airears? 
"  'Tis  I,  (said  one,)  'bove  all  my.  race, 
"  Am  debtor  chief  lo  glorious  grace." 
"Nay,  (said  another,)  hark,  I  trow,  "' 
"  I'm  more  obiig'd  to  grace  than  you. 
"  Stay,  (said  a  third,)  I  deepest  chare 
"In  owing  praise  beyond  compare: 
"  The  chief  of  sinners,  you'll  allow, 
"  Must   be  the  chief  of  singers  now.'* 
"  Hold,  (said  a  fourth,)  I  here  protest 
"  My  praises  must  outvie  the  best; 


caiAP.  V.  THE  believer's  principles.  307 

"  For  I'm  of  all  the  human  race 
"  The  highest  miracle  of  grace." 
"  Stop,  (said  a  fifth,)  these  notes  forbear, 
"  Lo,   I'm   tlie   greatest   wonder   here; 
"  For  I  of  all  the  race  that  fell, 
"  Desorv'd  the  lowest  place  in  hell." 
A  soul  that  higher  yet  aspir'd, 
With  equal  love  to  Jesus  fir'd, 
" 'Tis  mine  to  sing  the  highest  notes 
"To  love,  that  wash'd  the  foulest  blots." 
"Ho,  (ery'd  a  mate,)  'tis  mine  I'll  prove, 
"  Who  sinn'd  in  spite  of  light  and  love, 
"  To  sound  his  praise  with  loudest  bell, 
"  That  sav'd  me  from  the  lowest  hell. 
"  Come,  come,  (said  one,)  I'll  hold  the  plea, 
"That  highest  praise  is  due  to  me: 
"  For  mine,  of  all  the  sav'd  by   grace, 
"Was  the  most  dreadful,  desp'rate  case.'* 
Another  rising  at  his  side. 
As.  fond  of  praise,  and  free  of  pride, 
Cry'd,  "  Pray  give  place,  for  I  defy, 
"  That  you  should  owe  more  praise  than  I: 
"I'll  yield  to  none  in    this  debate; 
"  I'm  run  so   deep  in  grace's  debt, 
"  That  sure  I  am,  I   boldly  can 
"  Compare  with  all  the  heav'nly  clan." 
Quick  o'er  their  heads  a  trurrympin^e, 
"  Your  songs  my  very  hegit"  nave  spokej? 
"  But  ev'ry  note  you  heife  propale, 
"  Belongs  to  me  beyond  you  all." 
The  list'iiing  i^lTions  round  about 
With  sweet  resentment  loudly  shout; 
"  W liat  voice  is  this,  comparing  notes, 
~^hat  to  their  song  chief  place  allots? 

e  can't  allow  of  such  a  sound, 

hat  you  alone  have  highest  ground 
'p  sing  the  poyaltics  of.  grace; 

e  claim  the. same  adoring  place." 

at!  will  no  rival  singer  yield 
e  has  a  match  upon  the  field? 


^ 


SOS  eOSPET.    SONNETS.  1 

"Come,  then,  and  let  us  all  agree 
"To  praise  upon  the  highest  key." 
Then  jointly  all  the  harpers  round 
In  mind   unite   with   soieinn   sound. 
And  strokes  upon  the  highest  string, 
Made  all  the  heav'nly  arches  ring: 
Ring  loud  with  hallelujahs  high, 
To  him  that  sent  his  Son  to  die; 
And  to  the  worthy  Lamh  of  God, 
That  lov'd  and  rimsWd  them  in  his  blood. 
Free  grace  was  sov'reign  empress  crown'd 
In  pomp,  with  joyful  shouts  around; 
Assisting  angels  clapp'd  their  wings. 
And  sounded  grace  on  all  their  strings. 
The  emulation  round  the  throne 
Made  prostrate  hosts  (who  ev'ry  one 
The  humblest  place  their  right  avow) 
Strive  who  should  give  the  lowest  bow. 
The. next  contention  without  vice 
Among  the  birds  of  paradise, 
Made  every  glorious  warbling  throat 
Strive  who  should  raise  the  highest  note. 
Thus  in  sweet  holy  humble  strife, 
Along  their  endless,  joyful  life, 
Of  Jesus  all  the  harpers  rove. 
And  sing  the  wonders  of  his  love. 
Their  jjBfcli^aakc.-;  them  all  unite 
In  raptures  n-     '    <        lely   sweet 
So  great  the   :  j.:^\         ornvp    the   base. 
Melodious  music  fills   ^ -u   ,.i     ^. 

Sect  u.     Eartli  despicable,  Heaven   '     i,_     :. 

There's  nothing  round    the  spacious  ea 

To  suit  niy  vast  desires; 
To  more   refin'd   and   solid    mirth 

My   boundless   thought   aspires. 
Fain  would   I   leave   this  mournful  place/? 

This   music  duJl,   where    none  'Ijfc 

But  heavy  notes    have   any   grace,  W 

And  mirth  accents  the  moan. 


./ 


CHA¥.  V.  THE    EELIEVER's   PRINCIPLES.  309 

Where  troubles    tread   upon   reliefs, 

New  woes    with   older  blond; 
When  rolling  storms  and  circling  griefs 

Run  round  without  an  end; 
Where  waters  wrestling  with  the  stones, 

Do  tight  themselves  to  foam, 
And  hollow  clouds  with  thund'ring  groans 

Discharge  their  pregnant  womb: 
Where  eagles  mounting  meet  with  rubs 

That  dash  them  from  tJie  sky: 
And  cedars  shrinking  into  shrubs, 

In  ruin  prostrate  lie: 
W^here  sin,  the  author  of  turmoils, 

The  cause  of  death  and   hell, 
TJie  one  thing  foul  that  all  things  foils, 

Does  most  befriended  dwell. 
The  purchaser  of  night  and  wo, 

The  forfeiture  of  day. 
The  debt  that  ev'ry   man  did  owe, 

But  only  God  could   pay. 
Bewitched  ill,  endorsed   with  hope, 

Subscribed  with  despair: 
Ugly  in  death  when  eyes  are  ope, 

Though  life  may  paint  it  fair. 
Small  wonder  that  I  droop  alone 

In  such  a  doleful  place: 
\Vhen  lo,  my  dearest  friend  is  gone 

My  Father  hides  his  face. 
And  though  in  words  I  seem  to  show 

The  fawning  poet's  style. 
Yet  is  my  pla>nt  no  feigoed  wo; 

I  languish  in  exile. 
I  long  to  share  the  happiness 

Of  that  triumphant  llirong, 
That  swim  ia  seas  of  boundless  bliss 

Eternity  along. 
When  but  in  drops  here  by  the  way 
*!'' Free  love  distils  itself, 
1  pour  contempt  on  hil  s  of  prey. 

And  heaps  of  worldly  pelf. 


310  GOSPEL  SONNETS.  PART   Y». 

To  be  amidst  my  little  joys, 

Thrones,  sceptres,  crowns,  and  kings, 
Are  nothing  else  but  little  toys, 

And  despicable  things. 
Down  with  disdain  earth's  pomp  I  thrust, 

Bid  tempting  wealth  away: 
Heaven  is  not  made  of  yellow  dusty 

Nor  bliss  of  glitfring  clay. 
Sweet  was  the  hour  I  freedom  felt 

To  call  my  Jesus  mine; 
To  see  his  smiling  face,  and  melt 

In  pleasures  all  divine. 
Let  fools  an  heav''n  of  shades  pursue, 

But  I  for  substance  am: 
The  heaven  I  seek  is  likeness  to 

And  vision  of  the  Lamb: 
The  worthy  Lamb  with  glory  crown'd 

In  his  august  abode; 
Enthron'd  sublime,  and  deck'd  around 

With  all  the  pomp  of  God. 
I  long  to  join  the  saints  above. 

Who,  crown'd  with  glorious  bays. 
Through  radiant  files  of  angels  move, 

And  rival  them  in -praise: 
In  praise  to  JAH,  the  God  of  love, 

The  fair  incarnate  Son, 
The  holy  co-eternal  Dove, 

The  good,  the  great  Three-one. 
In  hope  to  sing  without  a  sob 

The  anthem  ever  new, 
I  gladly  bid  the  dusty  globe. 

And  vain  delights,  Adieu. 


SMOKING    SPIRITUAIIZED.  811 

The  following  Poem,  the  second  part  of  which  was  wrote  by  Mr. 
Erskine,  is  liere  inserted,  as  a  proper  subject  of  Meditation  tp 
Smokers  of  Tobacco. 

SMOKING  SPIRITUALIZED. 

IN  TWO  PARTS. 

The  first  Part  being  an  old  Meditation  upon  Smoking  Tobaciio;  the 
second  a  new  addition  to  it,  or  Improvement  of  it 

PART    I. 

This  Indian  weed  now  wither'd  quite, 
Though  green  at  noon,  cut  down  at  night. 

Shows  thy  decay; 

All  flesh  is  hay. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

The  pipe,  so  lily  like  and  weak, 
Does  thus  thy  mortal  state  bespeak. 

Thou  art  e'en  such, 

Gone  with  a  touch. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

And  when  the  smoke  ascends  on  high, 
Then  thou  behold'st  the  vanity 
Of  worldly  stuft; 
Gone  with  a  puff. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

And  when  the  pipe  grows  foul  within^ 
Think  on  thy  soul  defil'd  with  sin; 

For  then  the  fire 

It  does  require. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

And  seest  the  ashes  cast  away; 
Then  to  thyself  thou  mayest  say, 
That  to  the  dust 
■_    Return  thou  must. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 


312  SMOKING    SPIRITUALIZED. 

PART    II. 

Was  this  small  plant  for  thee  cut  down'' 
So  was  the  Plant  of  Great  Renown; 
Which  mercy  sends 
For  nobler  ends. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

Doth  juice  medicinal  proceed 
From  such  a  naughty  foreign  weed? 
Then,  what's  the  power 
Of  Jesse's  flower? 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

The  promise,  like  the  pipe,  inlays, 
And  by  the  mouth  of  faith  conveys 

What  virtue  flows 

From  Sharon's  Rose. 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

In  vain  th'  unlighted  pipe  you  blow; 
Your  pains  in  outward   means   are   so, 
Till  heav'nly  fire 
Your  hearts  inspire.       * 
Thus  think,  and  smoke  tobacco. 

The  smoke,  like  burning  incense,  towers: 
So  should  a  praying  heart  of  yours 

With  ardent  cries 

Surmount  the  skies. 
Thue  think,  and  smoke  tobacco - 


FINIS, 


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1205  03059  0580 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A  A 


001  426  609 


Restoring    and   I^ki  skrvlng    the    Sirtit  - 
friend  who  hnd  read  the  followins;  valuab'e  item  .. 
information   but   who   had  forrrotten   which  v/sy 
"io  rub  his  eyes,"  for  loss  of  sight  by  age,  request*  d 
H9  yesterday  to  rc-publiah  th'e  process.    It  is  as  f^l- 

■F,r  7iear  Sigkteflnefii — Close  the  M^es  and  pr^'s  s 
the  linjfers  gently  from  the  nose  outw^I,  nc.-n  s  th  c 
eyes.  This  flattens  ihe  pupil  and  thus  Ifn.-'hp.n  s 
or  extends  tiie  angle  of -viMon.  This  should  be 
done  several  times  a  day,  till  short  sightddncss  1 3 
overcome.  • 

For  loss  of  sight  by  age,  such  es  requires  m-^eni- 
fying;  glasses,  pass  the  finders,  or  towel  from  the 
outer  corner  or  the  eyes  inwardly  above  nnd  be-  ■ 
low  the  cve'>alls,  pressiniT  gently  against  thani. — 
This  rounos  them  up,  and  preserve?  or  restores  tha ' 
sight.  '    • 

It  has  been  already  said  that  this  is  nothing  new. 
The  venerable  J'>hn  Quincy  Adam<3  preserved  his 
nthtin  this  way,  in  iuli  vi^or,  tr,  the  day  of  his 
ieaih.  He  told  Lawyer  Ford,  of  L'ti^cpster,  who 
wore  glasses,  that  if  he  uonid  mf<:tip;48tft  hiseyfs 
>A'ith  his  fineers,  fmm  their  exfen;al  ang^e  inward- 
'v  he  would  soon  be  able  to  di-p.-jise  v/ith  gif^fses. 
Ford  tried  it,  and  fccn  restored  bis  sight  per'ec  !y, 
'tnd  has  &ince  preserved  it  by  the  continuance  of  thU 
practice. 


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